Alfred F. Dudek

Killingworth- Alfred Francis Dudek, Sr. passed away in his sleep peacefully Monday, November 28, 2011, at home after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Wethersfield, CT, on July 30, 1925, to Helen (Godin) and Stanley Dudek. Mr. Dudek attended Wethersfield public schools. He proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Asia-Pacific from 1942 until 1946. After an honorable discharge, he worked for the Connecticut Department of Health. Mr. Dudek was married to Elizabeth (Ida) Dudek (formerly of Hartford) in 1947. They were married just shy of 60 years upon her death in 2007. Mr. Dudek was an accomplished mason for many years working for contractors in the Hartford area. He also worked for Kenwood Farms Dairy in Wethersfield. He moved to Killingworth in 1963 upon buying his greatly loved gentleman's farm. He volunteered as a 4-H leader co-sponsoring his own successful club “The Killingworth Hummingbirds.” Mr. Dudek retired in 1980 from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection. Along with his wife Elizabeth, he was a founding and continuing parishioner of Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church of Killingworth, of which he was a trustee for many decades as well as a council member. Mr. Dudek also served with pride in the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company as a member, officer, trustee and senior trustee for several decades. He was an avid volunteer at both of these institutions serving, fund raising, sharing and helping wherever he was needed. He had a passion for restoring antique sleighs. His sense of humor and irreverent style will be greatly missed by his many, many friends. Mr. Dudek was predeceased by his beloved wife Elizabeth in 2007 and his beloved daughter Frances in 1959. He is survived by his children Alfred Dudek Jr. and wife Linda (Marquard) of Killingworth, Connecticut, David Dudek of Tampa, Florida, Jo-Ellen (Dudek) Morman and husband Robert of Killingworth, Connecticut, Stanley Dudek and his husband Jonathan Barth of Yuba City, California, and John Dudek of Centerbrook, Connecticut. He also leaves behind his goddaughter and dear family friend Lynn Marcotte of Killingworth, Connecticut. He leaves behind six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Kelly Trella, her husband Justin and son Jake, Nathan Dudek, his wife Leanne and daughter Taylor, Erin Dudek, Michael Morman, Anthony Morman, Brooke Morman as well as several nieces and nephews. Mr. Dudek also is survived by his sister-in-law Josephine (Ida) DiPrato and her husband Albert of Wethersfield and sister-in-law Evelyn Dudek of East Burke, Vermont. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank Maria Nadirashvili of Comfort Caregivers for her wonderful and compassionate care. Family will receive friends from 9:00am to 10:30am on Saturday, December 3, at the Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church meeting room in Killingworth where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 in the Saint Lawrence Catholic Church. Private burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rocky Hill. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Dudek's honor to Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, 7 Hemlock Drive, Killingworth, CT 06419. Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton, CT is handling the arrangements.