Dennis J. Coleda

May 13, 1946 – October 23, 2022

Dennis John Coleda, 76, a resident of Voluntown, CT for 43 years, passed away at Norwich Rehabilitation and Care Center where he resided with his wife since 2014. He was born in Norwich, CT, and grew up in Oakdale, CT. As a child, he helped to build his family’s home in Oakdale. He was active in 4H and also worked his way up the ranks in the Boy Scouts of America, eventually becoming a proud Eagle Scout. He graduated from New London High School in 1965, then went on to attend Thames Valley State Technical College where he studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He married his late wife, Anna (Cebulewska) Coleda in July 1969, in Montville. He and Anna later settled in Voluntown in 1971, where they lived and raised their two daughters. In 2014, Dennis and Anna both experienced unfortunate health issues and could no longer reside in their home of many years.

Dennis enlisted in the United States Army ten days after his 21st birthday in May 1968. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division, also known as the Wolfhounds. He became a Sergeant and served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Among his military achievements, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman (Rifle M-14); Bronze Star Medal; and the Purple Heart Medal. He was honorably discharged in December 1968.

Dennis began working as an electrician at General Dynamics/Electric Boat in Groton, CT shortly after returning home from his service in the army. During his employment at General Dynamics/Electric Boat, he was promoted to Lead Electronics Foreman, Engineering Asst. Supervisor, and Functional Integrator before retiring in 1997.

Dennis was predeceased by his wife of almost 52 years, Anna (Cebulewska) Coleda in January 2021, of Voluntown and Norwich; his parents John and Caroline (Warren) Coleda of Oakdale; his brother Michael Coleda of Oakdale; his nephew Terry Hogan of Montville and Waterford; his in-laws George and Maria (Cebulewska) Ukarma of Norwich and later Florida; Ksenofont Hawryluk of Norwich; and his brother-in-law Stefon (Steven) Hawryluk of Norwich.

He is survived by his two daughters MaryAnn Coleda of Dayville and Amy Coleda of Lebanon; his granddaughter Rhiannon Martin of Dayville; his sister Deborah Coleda of Montville; his sister Helen (Coleda) Harvey and her husband Jonathan of Oakdale; his sister-in-law Lillian (Hawryluk) Zawacki and her husband Raymond of Lisbon, and many nieces and nephews, several cousins, extended family, and friends.

Dennis, known by many as Denny was a quiet, often introverted man. He valued his privacy and was somewhat of a “homebody”. He was a highly intelligent man. Although he often appeared serious, almost stoic at times, he possessed a brilliant sense of dry humor that always had a dash of witty sarcasm to it. He enjoyed numerous hobbies and pastimes over the years including astronomy, hiking, coin collecting, stamp collecting, cooking, baking, making homemade wine, canning his own food, photography, gardening, reading, and several others. Dennis was a history buff and was always in the middle of reading or re-reading some historical non-fiction. He was particularly interested in Civil War era history, Native American history, and World War 2. Dennis was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, archery, and skeet shooting over the years. He enjoyed the solitude of Pachaug State Forest and spent much of free time hiking the many trails or driving down the forest’s secluded dirt roads. Dennis was also an NRA Instructor for many years. Although he was somewhat of an introvert, he thoroughly enjoyed talking to folks about his hobbies and imparting his wide array of knowledge onto anyone who was interested in listening. His neighbor’s in Voluntown recall how he used to keep his yard so beautifully manicured with his raised vegetable garden beds and flowers, including many gorgeous roses and flowering bushes. It was a common sight in the summertime to see Dennis and his wife sitting out on the bench in their front yard watching the goings on in the neighborhood and chatting with neighbors as they passed by. Every October, the kids in the neighborhood could count on Dennis to buy bags and bags of candy to give out to the trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

After his retirement, Dennis enjoyed traveling with his wife in their RV. They traveled to many states across the U. S., staying in a variety of RV campgrounds and meeting folks from all over America. They even traveled into Canada on their extended trips. In his free time, Dennis could often be found relaxing at home. He enjoyed making himself comfortable on the couch with a snack, watching a historical documentary, a good old fashion Western, or an action-packed war movie. The nurses at Norwichtown Rehab and Care Center often joked about how he loved to watch reruns of M.A.S.H. over and over again. Dennis was also a music lover who had a preference for 1960’s rock ‘n roll, as well as the country music sounds of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, and Hank Williams, Jr. Dennis also had a love of Blue Grass and Scottish bagpipes. In the 1990’s, he splurged and bought himself a new Honda Goldwing motorcycle with all the bells and whistles. He lived on the back of that bike, especially during the warmer months of the year. He could be seen cruising to work at Electric Boat in Groton on his motorcycle, riding around Voluntown and surrounding towns wearing his black leather jacket and sunglasses, with Bob Segar blasting out of the speakers. Dennis enjoyed a real sense of freedom riding around on his motorcycle with no place in particular to go!

Dennis was a simple man who preferred to live frugally most of the time. He was a man with a tough, sometimes hard exterior, but those who were close with him would often get a glimpse of his softer side. He was a hard-working man who provided for his family. He was dealt a heavy blow when he had a debilitating stroke in 2014, which left him paralyzed on his right side, unable to swallow, and requiring a G-tube. He also suffered with the loss of his ability to communicate with more than a few words at a time due to the speech disorder called Aphasia caused by damage to his brain from his stroke. His body was badly damaged, but he was a true warrior, never giving up. Dennis was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones

pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” ~Inuit Proverb

A Celebration of Life for Dennis and his wife Anna will be held on Monday November 21, 2022, at 10:00 am at Labenski Funeral Home located at 107 Boswell Avenue Norwich, followed directly afterword by funeral services for Dennis and Anna at Robbins Cemetery located at the fork in the road between Route 165 and Shetucket Turnpike in Voluntown. A military honors ceremony will be held for Dennis for his distinguished service as an Army Veteran. A reception will follow at the VFW Post 10004 located at 263 Taylor Hill Road Jewett City at the commencement of the funeral services.

Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that once we shared

Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take

And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know.

Laugh at all the things we used to do

Miss me but let me go.

~By Christina Rossetti