Casimir "Cas" P. Kovalaski
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Casimir "Cas" P. Kovalaski, 94, of Cromwell, formerly of Torrington, passed away on February 7, 2021 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. He was born in New Milford, CT on February 5, 1927, the son of the late Gladys and Julius Kovalaski. He later moved to the north end of Torrington where he was surrounded by his loving family of two sisters, Josephine and Jennie, and four brothers, Joseph, John, Julius and Zigmund, all of whom predeceased him. He graduated from North School, which is now the home of the Torrington Police Department, and was also a graduate of Torrington High School Class of 1946. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1950 from Teachers' College of Connecticut, which is now Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. He was awarded his Master's Degree in Education from the University of Hartford in 1960. He was one of the very first draftees from Torrington during the Korean War and served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1950-1952, ending his military service as a Corporal. Upon discharge from the Army, he spent several years teaching at Riverside School in Torrington, then transferred to the Vogel School as a Special Education teacher until 1988, when he retired after a 35-year teaching career in the Torrington School system. Cas was an avid reader and world traveler, having visited such places as Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean Islands and many countries of Western Europe and Great Britain including Germany, Spain and Italy. He is survived by his six nieces, Christine Cornish (Bruce), Ellen Quinn (Owen) both of CT, Paula Marchetti of NC, Michele Turner (Robert) of CT, Connie Burzinske of CT & Donna Lonergan of FL as well as two nephews, James Kovalaski, and Wayne Kovalaski of CT. He leaves five great-nieces, Heather Cornish (Godfrey Nelson), Hilary Meza (Allan), Megan Quinn, and Maura Quinn, all of CT, Alexandra Doyle of MD and two great-nephews, Evan Doyle of NC and Gavin Kennedy of CT. He is also survived by his 2 great grand-nephews, Bentley Meza, the beloved little miracle of his entire remaining family and Elliot Meza, and his 2 great grand-nieces Ivy Nelson and Tessa Meza, all of CT. He also leaves behind many beloved friends including Carlos Jiminez, Gloria Perret, Joanne Hartman, June Mullaney, Karen Ionnotta, Tammy O'Connor and Donna Czaja. The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to his private nurse, Nicolina Ruffino, and his home health care aid, Kendall Brouillard, who took outstanding care of him over the last several years. There are no calling hours. A military funeral will be held at St. Colman's Church, Hubbard St., Middlefield on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at St. Sebastian's Cemetery in Middlefield, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to a newly established Torrington scholarship fund in Cas's name, from which scholarships will be given to Torrington students who plan to attend college to pursue a teaching degree in the field of Special Education. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.