Obituary of Edward Barzda

CHESHIRE- Edward J. Barzda, 87, passed away Monday August 22, 2011 at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. He was predeceased by his wife Filomena M. (Ippedico) Barzda. He was born September 3, 1923 in New Haven, son of the late Stanley and Emily Barzda. Edward was a WWII Army Veteran who landed at Utah Beach in Normandy on June 24, 1944. He served with the 83rd Thunderbolt Infantry Division of General George Patton's Third Army in Europe. In his march to Germany he fought the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest suffering frostbite and a leg wound from a German artillery shell for which he received two Purple Hearts. He earned the Bronze Star when he and two others stopped a contingent of 25 German paratroopers, killing 13 Germans and forcing a dozen more to surrender. Among the Purple Hearts and Bronze Star, Edward was the proud wearer of the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantry Badge, Victory Medal and Ribbons for European and American Theater of Operations. Mr. Barzda worked as a Florist for some years upon his return from the war. Then, being an expert marksman, he tested firearms for High Standard Manufacturing Company of Hamden for many years. Following that he worked at Doolittle School in Cheshire as custodian where he was adored by kids and teachers alike for nine years until he retired. He was an avid golfer, an active member of the V.F.W. and was known to sit and chat with the fly-boys of his exploits on the ground at the Army Air Force Roundtable. Mr. Barzda is survived by his niece Judith E. Kolesar and her husband Frederick of Stratford. He is predeceased by his brother Stanley Barzda; his sister Julie Deitz; and niece Sandie Erickson. Arrangements- Edward's funeral will be held on Friday August 26, 2011, 9:45 a.m. from The Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St, 06410 to St. Bridget Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow in South End Burial Ground in Southington. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to The Prospect V.F.W. Post 8075, 218 Cheshire Rd., Prospect, CT 06712 or to the Pajama Program to help children in need at www.pajamaprogram.org.