FLORCZAK Walter Michael Florczak, age 84, of Derby entered into rest on Friday, May 5, 2006 at Bridgeport Hospital. He was the devoted husband of 58 years to Sabina Sally Gaewsky Florczak. He was born in Bridgeport on May 14, 1921, son of the late Benjamin and Catherine Kosinski Florczak.

A 1939 graduate of Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, he enlisted into the Army during World War II, where he served as a paratrooper in the 508th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne and received the Purple Heart. Following the war, he served as a member of General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Honor Guard in Berlin.

Upon his return home, he entered Yale University, graduating in 1950. He opened his own photography studio in Bridgeport and married Sabina Gaewsky. They moved to Derby in 1957. In the late 1960s, he became the director and chief instructor for the Derby Falcon Junior Rifle Club, whose purpose was to teach firearm safety and competitive shooting to local youth. He was also employed as a metallurgical technician at Winchester Arms and retired in 1983 from Lyman Gun Site in Middlefield where he was the ballistic technician. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and past legislative director of the Bridgeport Rifle Club. He was also a member of the Connecticut Sportsman Alliance, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Connecticut State Rifle and Revolver Association.

He was the beloved father of Karen Palange and her husband, Marty, of Monroe; loving grandfather of Kyra Palange; and also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Benjamin and Joseph Florczak; and sister, Helen Florczak.

Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 6 p.m. in St. Mary's Church, 212 Elizabeth Street, Derby. Memorial contributions may be made to the Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Road, Monroe, CT 06468. The Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth Street, Derby has been entrusted with the arrangements.

(Connecticut Post, Bridgeport, CT, 14 May 2006 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)