John P. Zecchin

WINSTED — John P. Zecchin, 83,  husband of Alice F. (Connors) Zecchin, died at home July 6, 2009, after a short illness.

Born in Winsted on Sept. 15, 1925, he was the son of the late Louise (DeGrandes) and Baptiste Zecchin. He had lived in Winsted all of his life and was a member of St. Joseph Church.

Mr. Zecchin served as a gunner aboard the USS Alaska in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the China Service Medal.

He worked at the Gilbert Clock Shop for many years and later worked for Lambert Kay, a Cater & Wallace Company, from which he retired. He was an active member of the Winsted Elks Club and was once named Elk of the Year. He was actively involved with organizing the Elks Fishing Derby for many years, was forever an avid fly fisherman and loved to fish “the gas line pool†of the Farmington River. He was a longtime volunteer with the Winsted Fire Department, Hose 4, and also coached Little League baseball for many years. He loved the Boston Red Sox and walked around town wearing his Red Sox hat.

Mr. Zecchin was the loving father of two sons, Michael and his wife, Nancy, of Bloomfield and David and his wife, Dee, of Chalfont, Pa. He loved and was proud of his five grandchildren, Naval Lieutenant Craig, Ryan, Darla, Darren and DeAnna. He also leaves behind his friend, Shadow.

He is also survived by his sister, Irene Kolasinski of Winsted; a brother and sister-in-law, Al and Helen Leslie of Pittsfield, Mass.; a brother-in-law, Robert Fallon of Colebrook; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Janet Fallon.

Funeral services were held July 9 at St. Joseph’s Church, Winsted. Burial with full military honors was to be in St. Joseph’s New Cemetery at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the Winsted Visiting Nurse Association, the Winsted Area Ambulance Association and the therapists who worked with Mr. Zecchin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Winsted Area Ambulance Association, PO Box 56, Winsted, CT 06098. To leave an online condolence, visit maloneyfuneral.com.

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