Francis Ignatius Szlachetka

Francis Ignatius Szlachetka, 90, of Colchester, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023. He was born March 1, 1933 to Margaret (Czerwonka) and Ignatius Szlachetka in Holyoke, MA. He will be profoundly missed by his wife, Eva; daughters, Margery and Mary Ellen; brother, Carl; sisters, Barbara and Katherine, sons-in-law, Stephen and Kevin, and grandchildren, Alexandra, Gwenyth, David and Ethan as well as many extended family and friends. In addition to his parents Francis was predeceased by his sister Sylvia. Upon graduation from Chicopee High School, Francis attended the University of Massachusetts, where he received a BA in Accounting, and played 3rd base, earning a tryout with the Chicago Cubs. As an ROTC for the US Army, he served his country in Japan, returning home to work as computer consultant, spending most of his career at Univac (later named SperryUnisys). On February 1, 1969, he married the love of his life Eva (Shelley). They would spend the next 54 years together, in Windsor and Colchester, CT, raising their daughters, and spoiling their grandchildren, creating amazing memories, and a home that was fun, warm, and welcoming for all. While family was his true love, he also loved the Red Sox, UCONN Women’s basketball, classical music and crosswords. Funeral services will take place in Chicopee, MA on Friday, April 14, 2023, with a 9am visitation at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St, followed by a 10:30am Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 56 St. Anthony St, and burial at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery St., Chicopee, MA. After the tornado of 1979 destroyed their home, the Salvation Army provided assistance to Francis and Eva, establishing the organization as Francis’s favorite charity. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army - Hartford Area Services, 855 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT 06120; www.easternusa.salvationarmy.org   To leave an online expression of sympathy for the family, please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com