May 17, 2019 | Eli Freund - School of Engineering

In Memoriam: Clement D. Zawodniak

Thanks to the encouragement and financial support of his sister Eleanor and her husband Fred Monti, Clem earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with High Honors from the University of Connecticut (Class of 1952). Clem obtained a master’s degree from the University of Illinois (Class of 1953) and then served proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War.

The Student Union is a great place to make plans … and to catch up after a busy weekend. Photo by FJ Gaylor

(Image courtesy of Pixabay)

 

After being blessed with a good life filled with an abundance of love, laughter and happiness, Clement D. Zawodniak, P.E., 88, of Wethersfield, beloved husband for 61 years of Jacqueline (Falivene) Zawodniak, passed away peacefully at Hartford Hospital on Monday, February 25, 2019. Born in Torrington on October 9, 1930, he was the son of the late Clement J. and Mary C. (Waskiewicz) Zawodniak. When Clem was six years old, he lost his father in a workplace accident. Fortunately, he had a strong family support system to guide him and he graduated with honors from Torrington High in 1948. Thanks to the encouragement and financial support of his sister Eleanor and her husband Fred Monti, Clem earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with High Honors from the University of Connecticut (Class of 1952). Clem obtained a master’s degree from the University of Illinois (Class of 1953) and then served proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War. Clement worked as a Civil Engineer in Boston, Massachusetts and then for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, retiring in 1992 after 28 years. His last position for CTDOT was Head of Bridge Design and Structures.

Clem was a kind man, who had a sharp mind, terrific memory, enjoyed the company of family and friends, traveled throughout the world and always hoped for ‘clement’ weather. He was a firm believer in education, and bled blue and white as a fan of all things UCONN. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he will be forever missed by his devoted wife Jacqueline; three sons, Christopher Zawodniak and wife Margaret, Bruce Zawodniak and wife Bernadette and Brian Zawodniak and wife Ryley and his six adored grandchildren Alex, Adrianna, Sarah, Erik, Rebecca and Zoey; and in-laws, Jeanette Bergonzi, Karen and Paul Egliskis, Peter and Kathy Falivene and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters, Eleanor Monti, Bernice Kost and Dorothy Zawodniak.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday (June 8) at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial with military honors will follow at Village Cemetery, 1 Marsh Street, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations to a Civil Engineering Scholarship in Clement’s memory may be made to The UCONN Foundation Inc., 2390 Alumni Drive U-3206, Storrs, CT 06269. To share a memory of Clement with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.