Christopher Jarmoszko

When writing this late last night, I didn’t know where to start. My dad was truly the most loving, hard-working, generous man you could ever meet. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and always put our needs before his own.

I’ll always remember his optimistic easy-going personality and lighthearted jokes. In four months he would have turned 50 years old. I would tease him on what an old man he’s becoming, and he’d jokingly reply “I’m not turning 50, just 49 plus tax.” He never did like taxes, so I guess things worked out in his favor…he’ll be forever 49 and always looking down on us.

The afternoon that I received the phone call to go drive home to the hospital. Never in a million years would I ever, in my craziest nightmare have dreamt this to happen. My dad was perfectly healthy, stress-free and happy.

I was angry and upset with God for taking him away from us. Why did he have to go? He still had so much more to live for and to see. Julie and I have so many more milestones in our lives that we wanted him to be a part of.

We are both graduating this spring from college and high school. He promised that the new deck he’s been building these past few years would be done, and was excited for everyone to finally see it at our big party.

My dad loved to dance. He promised that he’d teach me how to ballroom dance for my wedding. And he jokingly promised to always be there to take care of his grandchildren one day.

None of these promises will come true now, since he’s gone. But I guess that’s life. You can’t plan for things that far in advance. If you’re worried about tomorrow, you’re not living for today.

They say God has a purpose for everything he does and a reason for doing it. At first I was confused as to why God chose to take him home and not someone else who was actually sick or suffering.

To teach us what? That life isn’t fair? That was my initial thought… but no. To teach and remind us to live everyday like it’s your last. You need to take things one day at a time and cherish every day, every hour, every minute, since you don’t know when it’s your time to go.

My father was the perfect example of someone who never took life for granted. He would never sweat the small things and did everything wholeheartedly. Whether it be his sports competitions when he was young, his education & career, building our home from foundation up, or being a dedicated family man and loyal friend– he put his heart and soul into everything he did and made sure it was perfect.

My dad taught me the true meanings of dedication, self-discipline, and motivation. He taught me that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. No one can set limitations to your goals except yourself.

This was his life lesson to me, but I hope that each one of you, here today can take away from it as well. Do not be afraid to tackle challenging projects or learn something new…my dad never was.

Build your dream house, tell a joke, do a favor for someone and don’t expect anything in return, call your wife everyday during lunch just to see how she’s doing, and tell your children you love them every chance you get…because he always did.

Although my dad isn’t here physically any more, I know he’ll be with me everywhere I go. If something good happens he’ll be the first to know. If I’m upset or sad he’ll be the first to comfort me.

I am so fortunate to have known my father and what a great man he was. And for that I am truly blessed. Thank you dad for everything – we promise to make you proud.

Christopher's Obituary

Christopher (Krzysiek) Jarmoszko, 49, died unexpectedly at home in Burlington, working on the new addition to the home he built himself from foundation up. A wonder example of artistry and utility, his home represents who he was in life – a self-taught, self-made expert in whatever he pursued. Chris loved to take on the most challenging of projects and make them his own. His extensive set of skills ranged from engineering, computers and machine tool programming to ball room dancing, carpentry, judo and karate. He utilized these skills not only to excel in his career but also to help those around him.

Chris never did anything half-heartedly and as a result was a recipient of many awards and honors from sports tournaments and dancing competitions. Professionally, his career was also flourishing. He mastered machine tooling with self discipline and dedication; consequently he was named Vice-President of Rapidex Co. of Windsor, CT.

Born in Poland, Chris moved to Hartford at age 11. In 1988, he married the love of his life Jola (Teresa) Lawrynowicz and the couple was blessed with two beautiful daughters: Victoria and Julia, both of whom will be graduating this year from college and high school respectively. They will always remember their father for his great sense of humor and his upbeat lighthearted jokes. For fifteen years, Chris and his family lived in New Britain. In 2003, they moved to their newly constructed home in Burlington, a project Chris was very proud of. Surrounded by wonderful neighbors, Chris, Jola, Victoria and Julia were happy. Reflecting on the last several years, Chris’s wife Jola said: “… maybe things were too perfect…”

Chris leaves behind his parents, Jan and Romualda Jarmoszko of Hartford, brothers and sisters-in-law: Grzegorz Jarmoszko and Grazyna Kulik of Wakefield, RI, Tomasz and Iwona Jarmoszko of New Britain, CT, and Paul and Alicia Jarmoszko of Manchester, CT, nieces and nephews: Julian, James, Jackie, Nikodem, Emily and goddaughter Alison. He will be remembered as a passionate, loving and dedicated father, husband, son, brother, neighbor and friend.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 9:00 AM at the New Britain Memorial /Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave. New Britain, followed by the funeral liturgy at 10:00 AM Holy Cross Church. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, September 29th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home, Directions, Exit 37 off I-84 take a right at the exit, 1 ½ miles on your right. Memorial donations may be made to the CCSU Library Polish Collection.

To share a memory with the family or leave a condolence, please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com

Z kroniki żalobnej (przedruk z Roberta Skarby z Przeglądu)

Jak trudno jest pisać nekrolog dla osoby, którą dobrze znaliśmy. No właśnie, znaliśmy... Już samo użycie w stosunku do tego Kogoś formy czasu przeszlego powoduje, źe powstaje tym sposobem pewna bariera, jak się wydaje - nie do pokonania - pomiędzy teraźniejszością a przeszłością. Jest to jednak bariera umowna, bo choć Osoba ta z naszego materialnego świata odeszła, pozostaje jednak już na zawsze w naszym świecie duchowym. Ciało jest już, co prawda, w drodze do wymiaru ostatecznego, ale przecież nieśmiertelana dusza wciąż towarzyszy nam w codziennych czynnościach, jest tuż obok... uśmiecha się, pociesza nas i, gdy trzeba, płacze razem z nami. Naszym, prawda, źe niedoskonałym, sposobem na porozumiewanie się z nią jest niezawodna i dobrze nam znana modlitwa. Znana z naszych codziennych, bliskich relacji z Tym, któremu zawdzięczamy owej duszy nieśmiertelność - samym Bogiem.

Kilka dni temu niespodziewanie został wezwany przed Jego oblicze Krzysiek Jarmoszko. Niezwykle utalentowany, pracowity i uczynny człowiek. Ale przedewszystkim, nadzwyczaj przyjazna, ciepła, pełna poczucia humoru osoba. Takim właśnie zapamiętają Go wszyscy ci, którzy mieli okazję znaleść się na Jego drodze w ciągu ostatnich 49 lat. Niełatwo jest używać czasu przeszłego wobec Osoby tak powszechnie cenionej i lubianej, ale pamiętajmy że to jedynie bariera słowna... Poza słowami istnieje przecież jednak jeszcze rzeczywistość nieskończona, do której my wierzący - zmierzamy. A Krzysiek, po prostu, dotarł tam nieco wcześniej, niż wszyscy te słowa czytający... „Wieczny odpoczynek racz Mu dać, Panie„.