Waclaw M. Zurawski Obituary May 1, 2026
Waclaw M. Zurawski, 97 of Newington, beloved husband of Danuta (Klarowicz) Zurawski, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 1, 2026. Born in Poland, son of the late Piotr and Leokadia (Michniewicz) Zurawski, he was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church in New Britain.
Waclaw was deported to Siberia in 1940 during the mass deportations of Polish citizens carried out by the Soviet Union. In 1942, he joined the Polish Army in the Middle East. At the age of 15, in 1943, he served in the army orchestra as a trombone player.
During his service, he was stationed in Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Israel. In 1947, he was evacuated to Great Britain, and in 1954, he immigrated to the United States.
Waclaw was highly talented and spoke five languages fluently. He was well educated; in 1962, he graduated from the University of Hartford with a bachelor’s degree. In 1970, he earned a Master of Arts in Education, followed by a Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling in 1976. For two years, Wladyslaw continued to deepen his study of the Russian language at Yale University.
His vast knowledge translated into a talent for teaching. He worked as a Russian language and World History teacher at NB High School and Pulaski School, and later served as a guidance counselor at Newington High School. For the last 17 years before retiring, he worked at General Motors.
For fifteen years, Waclaw worked on a historical book about World War II. A copy of his work is held in the National Library in Washington.
From 1985 to 1992, he completed the ROTC Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
For 71 years, he was an active member of veterans’ organizations, including Haller Post in New Britain. During this time, he received three medals in recognition of his dedication and service.
Waclaw loved reading and gardening. He also enjoyed watching birds and building birdhouses with four to six compartments.
He will be remembered as kind, loving, and generous. He will be deeply missed by his family and close friends.
A loving husband and friend, he is survived by his wife, Danuta, and many family members, cousins and friends in the US and Poland.
