Obituary of Edward Hajdun

Edward Hajdun, 92, formerly of Danielson and residing at the Brookdale Senior Living Center in Glastonbury, died Tuesday, June 23, 2015. He was born on June 18, 1923 in Kozol, Poland, the son of Anthony and Catherine Hajdun. During WWII, which was his teenage years, Ed was commandeered by the German Military to work as a laborer on various farms throughout Germany. At the end of the war many Polish refugees including Ed were relocated to a Displaced Person Camp (DP) in Weildflecken, Germany. It was there where he met the love of his life Stasia Grotek. They were married in the camp on January 31, 1946. Stasia predeceased Ed on April 1, 2006. In 1949, Ed and his family immigrated to the US from Germany and made their home in Danielson. Ed worked as a machine operator at Rogers Corp, retiring in 1985. He was also employed at Royal Metal in Plainfield and Pulaski’s Café in Danielson and was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. Ed and his wife were heavily involved in the National Polish Society throughout the state and the national office in Chicago. He was a member of the Polish Clubs in Danielson and Willimantic and the Danielson Elks where he also served as a cook and bartender. He loved dancing, playing cards, and caring for his yard. Ed and Stasia especially enjoyed the relationships they built during the war and at their stay in the DP Camp. These relationships continued throughout the years as the group gathered routinely and traveled throughout the US and various other countries. He leaves his son Michael Hajdun and his wife Cheryl of Colchester, his daughter Krystyna O’Connell of Goodyear, AZ, his brother Stanley Hajdun of Poland, grandchildren, Kevin O’Connell of Brooklyn, CT, Jeffrey O’Connell of Danielson, Mathew Hajdun currently teaching at the international school in Brazil, great grandchildren, Drew O’Connell of Brooklyn, Natalie O’Connell of Woodstock, many nieces and nephews in Poland. He was predeceased by two sisters and two brothers. Calling Hours will be 9:30 to 10:30 AM, Monday, June 29, 2015 at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson, followed by an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Church, 12 Franklin, Street, Danielson. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to St. James School Association, 120 Water Street, Danielson, CT 06239. Share a memory at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com