MIDDLEBURY- John Vincent Kawecki Jr. , 85, of Middlebury, died unexpectedly Friday May 1st, 2026 at Waterbury Hospital. He was the husband of Patricia (Roberts) Kawecki.

John was born in Waterbury October 27th, 1940, son of the late John V. and Helen (Dominick) Kawecki Sr. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School, class of 1959, and a veteran of the United States Army. He was employed as Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for Belcan Corporation in the Pratt and Whitney office until his retirement.

John had his private pilot’s license and loved flying his family and friends to Block Island,  Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and the Boston area. He fulfilled his bucket list wish when he piloted a P-51 Mustang World War II fighter.  He was active with his grandsons, always participating in their activities, whether riding rollercoasters or going to water parks , and enjoyed walking every day, especially with the dogs  on the beach at his daughter’s home in Shelter Island N.Y.

In addition to Patricia,  his wife of 54 years , John leaves his daughter and son in law Jennifer and Paul Rylott, grandsons Hayden and Jaxson Rylott, and his brother Robert Kawecki of Naugatuck. He was predeceased by his brother Edward Kawecki and his sister Joyce Kawecki Dowling.

ARRANGEMENTS- Funeral will leave Naugatuck Valley Memorial Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck Monday, May 11th, 2026  at 9:30  A.M. for St. Francis of Assisi Church in Naugatuck for Mass at 10:00.  Burial will follow in Lake Elise Cemetery, Middlebury. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home  from  8:30 to 9:30 A.M. To send an online condolence please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.