Robert S. Parzych (Bob), 64 of Berlin passed away suddenly on July 19, 2018. He was born on Dec. 31, 1953 in New Britain, Conn.
, to Stanley (Bucky) Parzych and Dorothy (Dottie) Parzych. He graduated from New Britain High School in 1972. He received a full football scholarship to Trinity College where he gained a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education.
Following college, Bob taught mathematics at Penny High School in East Hartford. He also worked for a brief period at The Hartford before joining Aetna, initially as a programmer before becoming an information technology trainer. He spent 17 years at Aetna.
Teaching was his passion and he was renowned for his “ugly” tie collection. After leaving Aetna, Bob formed his own training company and had great success. He retired in 2016 and was enjoying it to the fullest.
For the past 47 years, he hosted “The Kitchen Sink of Jazz” at WRTC-FM in Hartford where he was the jazz coordinator and more recently, the general manager of the station. He played key roles in the station’s annual fundraiser, broadcasting Trinity football and ice hockey games and hosting the ever-popular, if not dreaded, “Annual On Again/Off Again Bob Parzych Xmas Show”. Bob was often referred to as “Coach” as he loved coaching all levels of baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse.
He was a voracious reader, but also keenly enjoyed tending to his massive vegetable garden, jazz, running, golf and occasionally visiting local microbreweries. He was a huge New York Yankees and Giants fan. Bob organized and ran the annual Kulak-Parzych 5K Memorial Road Race for 25 years, to fund a scholarship for a graduating senior at New Britain High School who ran cross country and/or track.
This race was in memory of family members who passed on too young. Bob leaves behind his beloved wife of 19 years, Gail, his twin sons Michael and Nicholas, who were his pride and joy, his sisters Debra Lambe and her husband Dr. Thomas Lambe of Middletown, and Cynthia Parzych-Turner of Glastonbury. He also leaves behind his father-in-law Bill Haberland of Voorheesville, N.Y., his brother-in-law Glenn Haberland and his wife Paula of Clifton Park, N.Y., his sister-in-law Ann Carpinello and her husband Fred, his nephew Freddie Carpinello and niece Jenna Carpinello of Duluth, Ga.
He also leaves behinds cousins and many dear friends. Bob was pre-deceased by his parents (Bucky and Dorothy), his mother-in-law Fran Haberland and his brother-in-law John Turner. To respect Bob’s wishes there will be no calling hours.
There will be a Catholic Funeral Mass at Holy Apostle Church in New Britain, 655 East St., New Britain CT on Thursday, July 26 at 11:00 am In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Kulak-Parzych Memorial Scholarship Fund 28 Cornfield Dr. Berlin CT, 06037 and/or The DeMaio Children’s Fund, c/o Franklin Trust Federal Credit Union 632 Franklin Ave.
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