Obituary for Frederick M. Klosowski
Frederick Michael Klosowski of Willimantic passed away on August 27th at the age of 96. Fred was born on May 23, 1922 in Willimantic and was the youngest of 6 children of Michael and Bronaslawa (Procek) Klosowski. His parents and three of his older siblings emigrated from Poland in 1911 -1913, arriving at Ellis Island after crossing the Atlantic. They settled in Willimantic where his father established a tailor shop on Jackson Street, M. Klosowski & Sons, where Fred worked alongside his father, brother Frank and family until the mid-60’s. Fred later took a job at the Windham Hospital until retiring (for the first time) in his mid-seventies. Shortly thereafter he reapplied for employment and continued working at the hospital until he retired finally at age 90.
Fred proudly served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II as a corporal with the newly formed Combat Engineers, Battalion #296. He was awarded 5 Battle Stars, starting with the D-Day invasion establishing a beachhead at Utah Beach at Normandy, Northern France, Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland and Central Europe, finally reaching Berlin with U.S. Troops.
https://www.newstimes.com/opinion/article/Forrest-C-Palmer-How-a-group-of-mostly-teens-10606703.php . Upon his return home he entered UConn on the G.I. Bill and earned a B.S. in Business Administration. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the UConn women’s basketball team.
Fred loved going to Wellfleet on Cape Cod every summer with family and often recalled his great adventure as crew, helping pilot brother-in-law Bill Knobloch’s 18 foot boat, the Cape Codder, from East Rockaway Long Island through the Cape Cod Canal to Wellfleet where they would go fishing and clamming every chance they could. Fred and his companion Alice Baillergeron spent days every summer at the beach, being with family and picking beach plums for making jelly.
Fred was predeceased by his parents, brother Frank M. Klosowski, sister Marie K. Flagg, sister Ann K. LeClaire, sister Helene K. Knobloch, and his infant sister Mary, who died at birth. He is survived by 8 nieces and nephews and a large loving extended family and friends who will miss his kind and gentle presence. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful people who assisted in his final care. Fred was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph’s parish in Willimantic. Calling hours will be at the Bacon Funeral Home at 71 Prospect Street in Willimantic on Saturday September 1st, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Church. Burial, with full military honors, will be beside his beloved parents in St. Joseph Cemetery in Windham followed by a reception in the Community Room at the St. Joseph’s Living Center at 14 Club Rd. in Windham.
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