Obituary of Edward Joseph Tarasevich

Edward Joseph Tarasevich, 90, died after a short illness at home in Connecticut on Monday, May 17th, 2021. Edward, also fondly known as "Bepa" and "Papa", was a cherished husband; father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was born on July 16th, 1930, in Hebron, CT. He grew up in Hebron and walked to a one-room schoolhouse during his elementary years. He was proud to be enlisted in the US Army and was stationed abroad. After meeting the love of his life, Leona (Chaponis) Tarasevich, they resided in New Britain for many years, gaining many life-long friends and memories. He achieved a Bachelor of Science degree from CCSU and was employed as an engineer at Pratt and Whitney. Ed and Leona eventually moved to Old Saybrook and enjoyed many years on the water on North Cove Road. He was an avid fisherman and lobsterman. He enjoyed boating and loved to take his grandkids on boat excursions through the marsh looking for pirates and mermaids. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Boston Redsox, the Patriots and UConn basketball. Ed and Lee both enjoyed their walks in Old Saybrook, their coffee group at the Paperback Café and playing cards. Edward was a devout Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as the BPOE (Elks). Eventually, Ed and Lee traveled to Florida as "snowbirds" and permanently resided there in 2018 where they met many friends and enjoyed many happy hours and dinners together before returning last month to CT. Ed was at home in any setting due to his easy-going nature. He greatly enjoyed traveling and the outdoors, but above all, he cherished spending time with his family. The love that he had for his family was unsurpassed; he always made you feel at home. He had a beautiful smile and a twinkle in his eyes, along with a ready joke to tell. If you were lucky enough to have known him, you knew that he was an incredibly gentle, caring, and generous man who would literally give you the shirt off his back. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Leona F Tarasevich, his daughters and son-in-laws, Lori and Steven Salinger, Sharon and Steve Burke and Caren and Todd Goodhue; his beloved grandchildren Sean (Jenna) Salinger, Shannon (Kevin) Wagner, Caitlyn Goodhue, Megan Burke, Bethany Goodhue, Shaela Salinger, and Kathryn Burke; and his 2 (almost 3!) great grandchildren Scarlett and Silas Salinger. He is also survived by his sister Helen Tarasevich and his nephew Henry Fiedrych. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Pio Parish or a charity of your choice. Family and friends may gather at the Robinson Wright and Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook on Thursday, May 20th from 9:30 – 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am at St Pio Parish on Main St in Old Saybrook. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in New Britain, CT. For online condolences and guest book, please visit: www.rwwfh.com He was loved by so many and will be missed immensely.