Obituary: Chester S. Drzoscz

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Chester S. Drzoscz
Chester S. Drzoscz

NAUGATUCK — Chester S. Drzoscz, 90, of 255 Prospect St., died Jan. 20, 2014 at Beacon Brook Health Center after a brief illness.

Chester was born in the Union City section of Naugatuck, son of the late John and Stella (Lewandowski) Drzoscz, on Oct. 31, 1923. He was predeceased by his brother Joseph with whom he made his home. Chester attended the Naugatuck school system and graduated from Naugatuck High School Class of 1941. He completed an apprenticeship as a toolmaker at the former Scarll Manufacturing Company, and retired from GTE-Sylvania in 1984 after 34 years of service. Chester was a life-time member of Saint Hedwig RC Church where he was a collector at the Sunday morning mass for many years. He also served as a trustee and member of the Parish Council. He was a life-time member of the Polish Falcons and Uhlans Society where he served as a financial secretary for 21 years and also was the secretary of the Building Committee after fire destroyed the former building.

Being brought up in a Polish home as a child, Polish as his first language, he was so much interested in Poland, the land of his forefathers, that he was a co-founder of the Polish Heritage Group that was instrumental in leaving a landmark of the Polish Community in memory of Polish Heroes. The General Casimir Pulaski Monument was erected on Pulaski Way a Revolutionary war hero. The Polish Day was held on the first Sunday in May in memory of the Polish Constitution of 1791 and the group participated in many colorful parades in Naugatuck. His most satisfying contribution to the legacy of Poland and its heroes was the naming of the General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Memorial Bridge which spans the Naugatuck River east to west in the Union City section of Naugatuck. General Kosciuszko was invited to help in the Revolutionary War by Benjamin Franklin. His most noteworthy contribution was fortifying the Hudson River. Chester made several trips to Poland to visit many historical places where he made many friends who he and his late brother invited to their home, in the past years. He enjoyed doing work in his garden and yard with his late brother and his most important and satisfying pleasure was raising canon flowers, which in later years he had to solicit help as this work was too burdensome.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by his long-time friend and spiritual advisor Rev. Edward Ziemnicki at St. Hedwig Church, 32 Golden Hill St., Naugagtuck, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014 at 10 a.m. Friends are asked to meet at the church at 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck is assisting with arrangements.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.