Wethersfield Obituary: Eugene Kosakowski, 88

Eugene R. (Gene) Kosakowski died peacefully at home in Wethersfield on July 31, 2016 at the age of 88.

Gene is survived by his daughter Justine Totten, his son Aaron Kosakowski, his brother Zygmund Kosakowski, his grandchildren Daniel Young, David Young, Andrea Ezzo and Jason Kosakowski as well as two great grandchildren Gianna and Maximus. He was predeceased by his wife Wanda.

Gene was born on February 26, 1928 in New Britain to Alexander and Wanda Kosakowski. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1950 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He married Wanda in 1954 and they remained together until her passing in 1984. We hope that they are together again.

Gene spent most of his professional career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft; first in East Hartford and subsequently in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was especially proud of his work on the first fuel cells which were used in the Apollo Lunar Missions.

Gene was an accomplished athlete in his youth and often boasted of being offered a minor league baseball contract with the Saint Louis Cardinals which is mother Wanda forcefully refused his accepting as she insisted he go to college. Gene was a life-long Red Sox fan and was happy to fly up from Florida to celebrate in Boston with his son and grandson Jason when the Sox reversed the curse in 2004.

He will be long remembered for his love for his children and family. The memories of the many family trips and vacations will be with us forever. All who knew him will remember the many tales he told of the adventures of his youth and time in college at RPI.

Calling hours are scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at New Britain Memorial Sagraino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave. New Britain (directions, exit 37 off I-84 take a right at the exit, 1 ½ miles on your right.) where relatives and friends may visit with the surviving family. A funeral/memorial service is Thursday, August 4th at the funeral home, with a reception to follow at the New Britain Event Center, next door to the funeral home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gene's life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice at 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, Sandra, Lydia and Aemelia for their dedication and many thanks to Sarah for the time and concern she showed Gene in the past few months.

For directions and to send a message to the family, please go towww.newbritainsagarino.com.