Obituary of Joseph A. Szarek

Joseph A. Szarek, 76, of Killingworth, passed away suddenly on March 1, 2013. Born in Rome, New York on July 2, 1936, to Joseph A., Sr., and Josephine J. (Zawsilak) Szarek. He was a 1954 graduate of Rome Free Academy, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of Albany in 1958. Following graduate work at Cornell University he taught high school in both Rome and Burnt Hills, NY. With career experiences at the Allstate Insurance Company in White Plains, NY and the Xerox Corporation in Rochester, NY, he began a 30 year career in Personnel/Human Resources administration in the banking industry. He played a critical role in the development of the former Baybank and Bank of New England in Massachusetts. Prior to his retirement, he was Vice President & Director of Human Resources at the New Haven Savings Bank. Joe was Past President of the Rotary Clubs of New Haven CT, and Sudbury, MA. He was proud of his recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 52 years, Joan. He is also survived by daughters, Karen J. (David) Ross of Sudbury, Ontario, and Patricia M. (John) Teskey of Mystic, CT, and his son Robert J. (Kimberly) Szarek of Raleigh, NC. He will be lovingly missed by six grandchildren, Jay and Katie Ross, Patrick and Elizabeth Teskey, and Parker and Weston Szarek. He is survived by his sister Joan (Charles) Hahn, of Wilmington, NC and an extended family of nieces, a nephew and cousins. Sadly missed by his canine companion Luna. A private service was held on March 5, 2013. Interment took place at Evergeen Cemetery in Killingworth. For those who knew of Joe's great love of Alaskan Malamutes, the family asks in lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, donations be made to the Alaskan Malamute Rescue of New England (AMRONE), PO Box 558, Brimfield, MA 01010. To share a memory of Joseph or to leave a condolence for his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbook.