Benjamin F. Klimczak – OBITUARY

Mr. Klimczak was my 5th grade teacher at Pond Hill Elementary (1979 – 1980 school year if I remember correctly); he was one of the few teachers that “got me”. I last saw him in October while campaigning for Mayor – I am glad I had the chance to speak to him one more time before he moved on to bigger things.

WALLINGFORD - Benjamin F. Klimczak, 85, of Yalesville, died peacefully at his home Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. He was the loving husband of 40 years of the late Theresa L. McKinnon Klimczak.

Ben was born in New Haven, Aug. 1, 1928, a son o f the late Benjamin and Frances Jaworska Klimczak. He was a graduate of Hillhouse High School, Yale University, S.C.S.U., and Fairfield University. One of his life’s greatest memories was while playing baseball for Yale he was given a game ball from Sid Rosner for his recording a save as a relief pitcher against U.NC. He was a teacher for the Wallingford Board of Education for 37 years before retiring in 1989 having taught at Washington Street School and Pond Hill School. He found teaching a very rewarding career. He volunteered countless hours during his life, many at the Wallingford and school libraries. He was a member of many organizations including, W.E.A., C.E.A., N.E.A., the Ferdocs, the Wallingford Historical Society and the Polish Falcons.

He is survived by his brothers-in- law and sisters- in-law, Patricia Emery, of Cheshire, Mary and Dick Stedman, of Massachusetts, and David and Mary McKinnon, of Maryland; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Frank, Walter, Edward, Stephen and Joseph Klimczak.

His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Sunday, Dec. 8, , from 3 until 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. directly at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Interment will be in In Memoriam Cemetery in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent Perkins School for the Blind, Perkins Trust Office, 175 North Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472.