Daniel Tarasevich

Daniel was born July 14, 1921 in Berisso, Argentina, the son of Paul and Anna (Lutzka) Tarasevich. In 1924 he came to America with his family on the S.S. Voltaire and on June 28, 1924 they entered America through the Ellis Island immigration processing center. Mr. Tarasevich spent his early years in NYC and in 1932 his family purchased a dairy farm and moved to Bear Hill in Bozrah, CT. He attended and graduated from Norwich Free Academy where he ran cross country. On July 17, 1944, in Norwich, he was united in marriage to Leona E. (Riggs) Tarasevich. Three days later, on July 20, 1944, Mr. Tarasevich reported to duty in the U.S. Army and he fought on the German front with the 30th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge. On February 27, 1946 he received his honorable discharge from the Army. Mr. Tarasevich was one of the last remaining survivors of the 30th Infantry Division (Hickory).

He worked for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad as a signalman in the early 1950’s and continued his railroad career into the 1960’s with the Penn Central Railroad and then Amtrak when it acquired Penn Central. He retired from Amtrak in 1978.

While working for the railroad Mr. and Mrs. Tarasevich developed their 10 acre homestead in Groton, constructing a number of trailer lots and cottages. That business (Dan’s Trailer Park) continues today, managed by Mrs. Tarasevich.

He enjoyed looking for bargains at Saturday morning yard sales. He also made frequent visits to the casino and the Plainfield Dog Track. In earlier years, he wrote many Letters to the Editor of The Day Newspaper. Daniel’s generosity touched many lives. We are forever thankful for his honesty, caring and wit.

Mr. Tarasevich is survived by his spouse Leona, his three sons, Daniel P. Tarasevich and his wife Margarita of Groton, Thomas S. Tarasevich and his wife Sandra of Westerly, RI, and Terry J. Walker and his wife Catherine of Pompano Beach, FL, and one daughter, Donna Lee Carroll and her husband Alan of Stonington CT; one sister, Helen Tetrault of Norwich and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who brought great enjoyment to him. He was predeceased by two brothers, Alexander and Augustus Tarasevich, and three sisters, Anastasia Karpilov, Marie Mateyka and Olga Grogan.

A private graveside service will held at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.

Memorial donations in Daniel Tarasevich’s memory may be made to Beacon Hospice, 12 Roosevelt Ave. Mystic CT 06360. Many thanks to the exceptional and heartfelt care provided by Beacon Hospice.

Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence for Daniel’s family.

The Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., is entrusted with arrangements.