In Memoriam: Leo S. Konopka

From W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home.

Leo S. Konopka, a native of Wallingford, and longtime resident of North Branford, died peacefully on Saturday, December 5, 2015, in Boston from heart failure. He was 95.

Leo was born July 17, 1920, the son of Frank and Mary Konopka.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut and then enlisted in the United States Air Force as an aviation cadet. During World War II, he served with the 52nd Signal Corps which was the main communications center for General Headquarters in the Pacific. After the war, he joined the Connecticut State Police where he served as a trooper, supervisor of communications, and director of firearms and security agency licensing. His commendations included a lifesaving award and a citation from the state legislature.

After retiring from the State Police, he kept active by working for Quest Diagnostics and The Connecticut Hospice.

He was a member of the Branford Elks Lodge, where he was once honored as Elk of the Year.

Leo spent his last several years living in Stoughton, MA. He took up computing and “golf” (putting on his apartment complex’s putting green) in his nineties and lived independently right up until a week before his passing.

He was predeceased by his wife Madelyn Lang Konopka and their daughter Mary-Adele Konopka.

He leaves two sons, Frederick Konopka (and his wife Monika Konopka) of Medfield, MA, and Howard Konopka (and his wife Jina Guimond) of Charleston, SC, along with five grandchildren: Alyssa Taft (and her husband Aaron Taft) of Las Cruces, NM, Amanda Konopka of Baltimore, MD, Andrea Konopka of Portland, ME, and twins Isabella and Joseph Konopka of Medfield, MA.

He also was predeceased by one sister, Julia Piotrowski, and eight brothers: Stanley, Thomas, Julius, Frank, Joseph, John, Walter, and Edward.

Services were held.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT 06405, or Xavier High School, 181 Randolph Rd, Middletown, CT 06457.