Obituary of Paul J. Gardecki

Paul J. Gardecki, age 44, of Derby passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Anna Maria Picone Gardecki. Born in Bridgeport on July 10, 1972 he was a son of Gerald and Jeanne Connell Gardecki of Stratford. A graduate of Bunnell High School in 1990, he later graduated from Connecticut Business Institute with a culinary degree. Most recently Paul had been employed by United Methodist Homes in Shelton, where he worked as a dietary chef; a field in which he had many years of dedicated service. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Miami Dolphins and music by the Grateful Dead. However, his greatest enjoyment was found in the time he spent with his daughter, especially watching her play soccer. He also cherished the time spent making dinners for his family. A loving and devoted son, husband, father and brother, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In addition to his parents and loving wife of 18 years, Anna Maria, he is also survived by his daughter, Amanda Gardecki of Derby, his siblings, Laurie Masulli and her husband Gabe of Shelton, Tommy Gardecki and his wife Kathy of Seymour and Annie Lindberg and her husband Tom of Shelton, a brother-in-law, Michael Picone and his wife Laurie and a sister-in-law, Lucie Gribok and her husband John, all of Shelton. He is also survived by several cherished aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Anna and Edward Connell and paternal grandparents, Stanley and Josephine Gardecki. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. directly in Holy Rosary Church, 10 Father Salemi Drive, Ansonia. Interment will follow in Mount Saint Peter Cemetery, Derby. Friends may greet the family on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for an education fund to benefit Paul’s daughter Amanda may be made through the funeral home.