Leo J. Czarnota

Leo J. Czarnota, 91, of Rocky Hill and formerly of Wethersfield and Hartford, beloved husband of the late Louise (Lepak) Czarnota, passed away on Thursday (August 26, 2010) at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hartford on November 29, 1918 he was the son of the late Adolph and Julia (Dombrowski) Czarnota and had lived in the area all his life. A member of the first class to graduate from St. Augustine School, he received his B.S. degree from Trinity College. Leo served proudly as a fighter pilot in the 56th Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt and achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He was shot down near Dummer Lake in Germany, captured by the Gestapo and labeled as an American spy. After being held in solitary confinement for two months, he was sent to the prisoner camp Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany and held as a Kriegsgefangen for a year. He was awarded a Purple Heart, a POW medal, Air Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, WWII Medal and American Service Medal. Following the war, Leo earned his M.A. from Columbia University. He was a chemistry teacher at Hartford Public High School for many years, retiring in 1982. Leo was a member of the Air Force Officers Association and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 7827 in Wethersfield. He is survived by his children, son Brian and his wife Lorraine (Profita); daughters, Nancy (Czarnota) Tasak and her husband Richard of Manchester, Pamela (Czarnota) Danahy and Lisa Czarnota; seven grandchildren, Justin Czarnota, Kirby Horan, Michael Danahy, Hilary (Czarnota) Cuppett, Maura Danahy, Krystina Tasak and Alexandra Tasak; six great-granchildren, Chandler, Quinton, Kolby and Griffin Czarnota, Skylar Cuppett and Will Danahy, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and parents, Leo was predeceased by his eight brothers and sisters and his son-in-law, Peter Danahy. Funeral services will leave Monday (August 30) at 9:30 AM from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield for a 10 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect St., Wethersfield. Burial with full military honors will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Calling hours are Sunday from 2-5 PM at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions in Leo's name may be made to St. Augustine School, 20 Clifford Street, Hartford, CT 06114. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com