Obituaries
Obituary: Kenneth J. Starsiak, Of Ridgefield
Ken was positive, polite and prudent in matters of the heart and of the head.
Information Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home
RIDGEFIELD, CT — Kenneth J. Starsiak, a 56-year resident of Ridgefield, passed away late Sunday evening on February 20, 2022. He and his family worked diligently to navigate a complex health situation he endured for the past three years. Born on August 17, 1935, Ken was raised in Adams, Massachusetts by a community of loving family members who, in addition to his mother and father, included his two brothers Larry and Richard. After graduating from Adams High School in 1953, Kenneth honorably served his country in the United States Armed Forces.
Upon honorable discharge, he pursued his undergraduate studies at North Adams State Teachers College, presently known as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). Following graduation, Ken began his career in education as an elementary school teacher and then a computer science teacher in Norwalk, CT. Kenneth earned his teaching certificate and Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport. During his tenure, Ken also founded his own real estate investment company which he actively managed until the onset of his illness 39 months ago.
Until his final moments well into his 87th year, Ken remained calm, cool and collected. He was positive, polite and prudent in matters of the heart and of the head. Kenneth was well-informed and well-connected to the world of economics and finance and did not miss a beat about local happenings. Ken was an avid reader. When he wasn’t working, he could be found perusing items of interest in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Ridgefield Press and other local newspapers. Ken also enjoyed photography, invested in a high-quality camera and took pictures of his favorite subjects, capturing a myriad of family birthdays, anniversaries and special events. Ken watched Kramer nightly and enjoyed visiting local festivals and community events with his wife Connie. He also enjoyed gardening and cheering on the UCONN Huskies, after his two sons Brian and Bruce, and his daughter Sandra chose to attend the university to complete their undergraduate studies. Ken also liked discussing educational matters with his daughter Lauren, who followed in his footsteps as an elementary school teacher.
Above all, Ken’s favorite activity was to be with his wife, children and grandchildren and to support their ever-expanding initiatives and pursuits. Ken drew great pleasure nurturing his family, discussing possibilities and witnessing the progress each individual made toward their respective goals. He was a great sounding board and took the time to be present and show his unconditional love and support firsthand. He will especially miss the opportunity to be here for his first great grandchild, Chase Alexander and to help protect and provide for him in this increasingly complex world. The gravity of his disappointment cannot be understated.
Mr. Starsiak was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Church of Ridgefield. He was an honest and ethical man of quiet conviction and devotion. In his youth, Ken was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams, MA where he served as an altar boy. He grew up on nearby Siara Street where he and his friends enjoyed exploring the great outdoors. The natural pool they created as children (Big Basin) still remains intact and is a symbol of their resourcefulness. Also notably, this is where Ken and Connie first met when she was just a child visiting her paternal grandparents. Ken will be dearly missed by his wife of 63 years, Constance Mary (Novak) Starsiak; son Brian (and wife Susan) Starsiak and grandson William Joseph Starsiak; son Bruce and grandsons Grant Kenneth Starsiak and Adam James Starsiak; daughter Sandra (and husband Keith) Larson and grandchildren Andrea Nicole Larson, Connor James Larson (and wife Demet Senturk-Larson); daughter Lauren (and husband Chris) O’Toole and grandchildren Casey Anne O’Toole and Christopher Peter O’Toole; and great grandson Chase Alexander Curtis-Larson; Casey Curtis; sisters-in-law Nancy Kordana, Janice Wright, Reiko Starsiak and other highly regarded family members and friends. Kenneth was pre-deceased by his parents Joseph Jan and Mary Katarzyna (Les) Starsiak; brothers Larry and Richard Starsiak; mother-in-law Lillian T. Novak; and sisters-in-laws Carmela and Ruth Starsiak and other beloved family and friends.
Connie and family would like to extend a special thank you to the RVNA and to the quality caregivers who went above and beyond to know, love and respect Ken in his time of need. Thank you to those who fully supported him, respected his will to live and ultimate desire to remain with us as long as possible.
Family and friends will be received on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery; Adams, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Starsiak’s memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society http://events.lls.org/ctwhv/havensoy22/cotoole; St. Mary Parish, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 https://osvhub.com/smcr/funds; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
