Obituary of Richard E. Koonz

NAUGATUCK - Richard E. Koonz, Sr, 88, passed away peacefully at home, November 15, 2018, with his family close by.  He was born August 6, 1930, at home in Beacon Falls, Connecticut, the son of J. Daniel and Bertha (Jackman) Koonz, and spent several years living there before moving to Long Meadow in Middlebury.  He attended school in Beacon Falls and Naugatuck and joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1950 while a senior at Naugatuck High School.  He served in the reserves from 1950-1952 while working at Uniroyal in the footwear division.  Then he was activated to full time naval service in 1952 and was stationed in Georgia during the Korean War, working as an aircraft carrier airplane mechanic while the ships were in port. After being honorably discharged in 1954, he returned to Uniroyal, where he worked until retiring in 1976.  He received a Public Service Award from Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz in 2010 and the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal in 2018.

As a young man, he loved fishing and hunting.  He was very active in square dancing in his early adult years and loved family picnics and games of cribbage.  He was very proud of his rose and vegetable gardens and enjoyed giving away much of what he grew.  He always had a dog as a family pet and companion. Some of his favorite memories include a Florida trip to visit his mother, visits to the Catskill Game Farm when his children were young, and the annual Uniroyal outing at Lake Quassapaug, but his favorite memory was treating his family to a trip to Hawaii in 1986.

He is survived by seven children:  Althea Coleman and her fiancé, Michael Hayes, of Naugatuck; Darlene Knox and her long-time companion, Doug Jackman, of Florida; Deborah Koonz of Torrington; Diane Hollister of Naugatuck; Richard Koonz, Jr., of Maine; Doreen Jensen and her husband Robert of Northfield; and Larry Koonz of Naugatuck.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Richard was predeceased by his parents, his brother John Koonz, and his sisters Betty Louise and Mimi Koonz.

The family would like to thank all who contributed to his care:  Waterbury Hospital, Shady Knoll Rehabilitation Center, and Athena Healthcare (Hospice).  They especially want to thank their mother, Frances Crable, who provided care and comfort during his final months.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to one of the following:  The Little Guild of St Francis Animal Shelter, 285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT, 06796; Athena Heath Care, 135 South Road, Farmington, CT, 06032, or a charity of the giver’s choice.

Arrangements - A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at the Alderson Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. on Thursday, November 29, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Family and guests are invited to wear flannel shirts as these were his favorite clothes to wear.  Burial will be in Grove Cemetery at the convenience of the family.