Obituary of Andrew Hvizd, Jr.

Andrew Hvizd, Jr., age 92, beloved husband of Mary J. (Zuraw) Hvizd of Oxford, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home.  Born in Yonkers, NY on November 30, 1925, he was the son of the late Andrew and Paraskeva (Krusko) Hvizd, Sr.  Mr. Hvizd attended Commerce High School in Yonkers and after graduating, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1943.  After boot training, he served aboard the USS PRIDE attaining the rank of Sonarman First Class.  Mr. Hvizd had tours of duty in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean theaters of operations.  In 1946, he was discharged, and then enrolled at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute under the GE Co-op Test Engineering Program.  In 1951, he received his Bachelor's Degree and in 1952, his Master's Degree.  It was that same year that he was hired at Kerite as an Electrical Engineer. Throughout his years at Kerite, he was awarded several patents for cable designs.  He had pride in his company and considered his employees his family.  He was promoted to Vice President of Engineering in 1976, and then promoted to Vice President of Operations. After 31 years, he took an early retirement to pursue other interests, such as traveling and volunteering. He was greatly involved with his church, Three Saints Orthodox Church, where he was in the choir, sat as Trustee on the Church Board, and taught Sunday school.  His traveling took him all over the world from Siberia to Australia, and he pursued his ancestry, finding cousins in the smallest of towns in Europe.  In addition to his wife of 65 years, he is survived by sons, Andrew Hvizd, III and his spouse Lynn A. (Chirgwin) and Gregory Joseph Hvizd; daughter, Julie Marie (Hvizd) Mann, and her spouse, Steven; – Gregory was his father’s devoted caregiver in the later years; grandchildren, Sarah Marie (Hvizd) Sigel, Zachary Michael Mann, Andrew Joseph Hvizd, and Alexandra Marie Mann; and great grandchildren, Anthony Joseph Sigel, Jack Andrew Sigel, Lexie Grace Sigel, Rylee Paige Hvizd, Jase Benjamin Hvizd, Michael Ace Caldera, and Enzo Jove Caldera.  Mr. Hvizd was predeceased by his sister, Florence Hvizd Rondinone. A Funeral Service will take place on Friday, December 29, 2017, at 11:00 AM in Three Saints Orthodox Church, 26 Howard Avenue, Ansonia. Family and friends may gather directly at the church for calling hours from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, prior to the service.  A springtime interment with Military Honors will take place at Three Saints Cemetery, Seymour. Memorial contributions may be made to Three Saints Church Maintenance Trust.  The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia is in care of arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.