John Pudlinski

John Pudlinski, 87, passed away on Friday December 13th at Hartford Hospital.  He was the son of the late John and Marcelina (Tomaszewski) Pudlinski, and predeceased by a brother, Maryan, and sister Jennie Szostek.

He was born on June 20, 1932 in Waterbury, CT and was a graduate of The Teachers College of Connecticut (now Central Connecticut State University).  He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara (Borra), whom he met at Torrington High when he joined the Math faculty in 1959.  Their first date was New Year’s Eve 1960 in New York City.  They later became the first married couple allowed to teach together in the Torrington Public School System.  Their 50th wedding anniversary, celebrated on June 29th 2013, was featured on an episode The Cake Boss, entitled Icing The Cake.

John is also survived by his two children, Christopher (and his wife Donna), of Cromwell CT, and Jill Tavano, of Fairhaven, MA, and four grandchildren, Kristin Haug (and her husband David), of Warrenton, VA, and Nicholas, Christopher and Anna Pudlinski, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Math teacher for 35 years, John was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served active duty from 1956-1958, and was a member of the Litchfield County Coin Club, Torrington Auxiliary Police, and the Friends of Hospice Board.  He adored food, especially Italian meals and baked treats cooked by his loving wife Barbara.  He loved Frank Sinatra, Broadway Musicals and playing card games with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main Street, Torrington.  Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at the church.  Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Little Guild of St. Francis, from where we adopted our first dog, Goldie, in 1975.  Condolences may be sent to the Pudlinski family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com