Obituary of Joseph Paul Klanko

Joseph Paul Klanko, age 72, beloved husband of Rita R. Keefe of Shelton, died peacefully on May 25, 2018, surrounded by his family at the Shelton Lakes Health Care Center.  Born in Derby on February 26, 1946, he was the son of the late Peter and Julia Honas Klanko.  Mr. Klanko was raised in Ansonia and was a 1964 graduate of Ansonia High School.  He worked as a sales representative in the computer industry, until the time of his retirement.  Mr. Klanko played the trumpet in the CT Hurricanes in the 1960’s and remained a lifelong marching band enthusiast.  He enjoyed traveling and was a skilled downhill skier, teaching many to ski throughout his lifetime, including his daughter and granddaughter.  Together with his brother Donald and his fellow Lions, he enjoyed many ski trips in the Western U.S. and Canada.  An active member of the Oxford Lions Club, Mr. Klanko served as Treasurer for many years and was awarded a Knight of the Blind and the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship. Happiest in the outdoors, he would often be found with his grandchildren, fishing, hiking or rooting on the sidelines in all their sporting endeavors. He brightened up the lives all he met. In addition to his wife of 23 years, he is survived by his devoted daughter, Kristin (David) Rollinson of Shelton; cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth M. and David J. Rollinson, Jr., both of Shelton; brothers, Donald Klanko of Ansonia and Peter (Maria) Klanko of Waterbury; a niece, Donna Klanko of Ansonia and nephew, Richard Klanko of CA, and his former wife, Margaret Mary Donovan.  He was predeceased by a brother, Michael Klanko, sister-in-law, Theresa Esposito Klanko and nephew, Kevin Klanko.  A Mass of Christian Burial, meeting directly at church, will be celebrated on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10:00 AM in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 105 Clifton Avenue, Ansonia.  Interment will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Derby.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, June 1, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Panikhida at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to CT Lions Eye Research Foundation, P. O. Box 9268, New Haven, CT 06533 or to the Connecticut Hurricanes, P.O. Box 214, Seymour, CT 06483.  The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, is in care of arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.