Zoltan G. Szarka, 86, of Sandy Hook passed away peacefully on October 29, 2015 with his family at his side after a brief but valiant fight with cancer. He leaves his beloved wife of 58 years, Harriet Keefe Szarka; his son Louis Szarka, Esq. of Sandy Hook and his daughter Diane Phelan and her husband Edward Phelan of West Hartford. He will be sadly missed by his 5 grandchildren Haley Szarka and Drew Szarka of Sandy Hook and Lindsey Phelan of Manchester, NH and Ryan and Kiley Phelan of West Hartford. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Rosalie and her husband Gerard Banahan. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Edward Keefe and wife Anna of Virginia and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Shelton, CT on June 21, 1929, he was the son of the late Louis and Grace Szarka. Upon his graduation from Shelton High School in 1946, he entered the U.S Army. Upon ending his military service in 1948, he attended the CT School of Electronics and eventually started his own television business before having a 30 year career with Avco Lycoming/Textron in Stratford. Known as “Z” or “Zoli” to his many friends, he loved to give back to his community and volunteered as a fireman for the Echo Hose Company, the Great Danbury Fair and as a coach for many years with Pop Warner Football and Little League Baseball. He moved to Sandy Hook where he raised his family in 1966.
He was a HUGE sports fan. Although he loved the San Francisco Giants, the NY Giants and UCONN men’s and women’s basketball teams, there was nothing more important to him than spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting and school events . He was always an avid golfer and upon retirement continued to play golf with his buddies from work up until this June. Zoli and Harriet also enjoyed traveling for many years to Christian Crusades. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
We would like to thank the wonderful professionals at Regional Hospice of Western CT in Danbury for their amazing care and support. Calling hours will be at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Monday, November 2, 2015 from 5 PM to 8 PM. To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com

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