Joseph E. Yanzo, Jr., age 71, of Newtown, Conn., beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Rogers Maestro Yanzo, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2013 surrounded by all of his children after a hard fought battle with Leukemia.
Joe was born in Bridgeport on July 21, 1941, to Joseph and Anita Dymek Yanzo. He grew up in Bridgeport, and was a graduate of Bullard Havens Technical School. He was proud to be a U. S. Navy Veteran, serving aboard the USS Antietam. Joe was an employee of Viking Wire for over 25 years and later Sandlapper Fabrics, both formerly of Danbury before retiring in 2004.
Anyone who knew Joe, knew he had a lifelong passion for the music of Bob Dylan, he closely followed his career and went to see him in concert many times over the years, often with his lifelong friend Bob Litzie of Stratford. Joe often told stories of the time he spent in the Navy, how hard Navy life was but also the fun he had. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan, and when "the game" was on, everything came to a halt. He was a kindhearted man who enjoyed the simple things in life, his family, especially his grandchildren, good food, a glass of cold milk and his sweets. He was known as "Papa Joe" to not only his grandchildren, but to many others who loved him dearly.
He will be forever remembered by his family, his daughter, Christine Bojarczyk and her husband Rick of Danbury, his son, Joseph E. Yanzo III of Torrington, his stepdaughters, who he considered his own, Dawn Maestro-Blom and her husband Jeff and Debbie Maestro-Barrigas, all of Thomaston, a sister, Elaine Dwyer of Shelton, his grandchildren, Joseph Yanzo IV, Jessica Yanzo, Mason Beers, Zachary Barrigas, Stefani Barrigas, Pierce Blom and Nicole Bojarczyk as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Liz, and parents, he was pre-deceased by his sister, Joan Boboc.
Family and Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 3 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Church, 104 Main St., Danbury. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Healing Hearts Bereavement Center, 73 Stadley Rough Rd. Danbury, CT 06811. To sign a book of remembrance and to offer condolences on line, please visit the Green Funeral Home.
Obituary courtesy of the Green Funeral Home.
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