Obituary: John Wenzel Krisak, 88, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) John Wenzel Krisak, 88, of Wallingford, husband of the late Barbara (Woollard)) Krisak, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2021 at Masonicare in Wallingford, Connecticut.

He was born in Meriden on August 9, 1932, a son of the late John P. Krisak and Marguerite (Heinrich) Krisak. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Robert H. Krisak, in childhood.
John was a proud graduate of the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Following college John served as a Communications Specialist in the United States Air Force from 1954- 1957. He had a life-long love of aircraft and an encyclopedic knowledge of hundreds of planes.

In later years, to the terror of his family John was often the intrepid co-pilot in his friend's two-seater airplane. John earned a Master's Degree from The University of Hartford.

John proudly served the Meriden School System for decades, first as an English teacher at Platt High School and then as a Lincoln Middle School Guidance Counselor.

John and his family never tired of encountering his former students who would always reminisce with affection about the positive impact John had made on their lives.

John was an avid reader, accomplished model airplane builder, talented gardener, dancer and swimmer. When he wasn’t entertaining friends with his corny sense of humor, he kept them engaged playing the piano, ukulele, banjo and his beloved harmonica. John was a builder of snow-forts and backyard skating rinks.

His passion for photography left a legacy of captured family memories. He loved Shakespeare, spoke Latin and was a huge fan of the UConn Women's Basketball Team. He was an active member of the Mason’s and was a member of Center Lodge No. 97 and Meridian Lodge No.77.

John was the cherished father of Susan Santagata (Mark), and John W. Krisak Jr. (Deborah); the most beloved grandfather of Kelly Santagata, Matthew Santagata and Kimberly Krisak.; and loving uncle to his nieces and nephews.

His family will receive relatives and friends at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Ext., Wallingford on Friday, May 7, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 20 Catlin Street, Meriden at 10am. Standrewsmeriden.org.

The service can be viewed via livestream by going to John’s webpage at www.wallingfordfh.com at 10 am on Saturday. Internment at Walnut Grove Cemetery will be private at a future date. Masks must be worn and Covid-19 precautions must be observed at both the funeral home and church.

Gifts in John's memory may be sent to The CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.
Matthew 25:23. "His Lord said unto him, "Well done, good and faithful servant..."