George Frank Struzynski

KENT — George Frank Struzynski, 59, died March 29, 2010, after battling a recent neurological illness. Private burial has taken place in Florida. George was born Oct. 1, 1950, in New Haven, Conn., and grew up in the Westville neighborhood.

After graduating from James Hillhouse High School, George furthered his education and attended Yale, American University, University of Ibadan (Nigeria, West Africa) and University of Miami,  where he earned degrees in history, economics, business adminstration and health-care management. Former residences included Washington, D.C.; Alexandria, Va.; Coral Gables, Fla.; and South Kent.

George loved to talk but he also loved to write and had outstanding penmanship. In college he was a volunteer member of the White House calligraphy staff. Throughout the course of his life, George took the time to handwrite countless letters, cards and notes to people all over the world, including patients, residents and families he met throughout his long and illustrious career as a health-care executive and business consultant.

Most recently, George served as the director of admissions and marketing for Apple Rehab/The Kent Specialty Care Facility in Kent.

Volunteerism mattered to George. Over the past 25 years, he had the privilege of serving in various capacities for several town and regional organizations including opening the first Kent Film Festival as master of ceremonies. He was also at one time a Kent Planning and Zoning commissioner; vice president of the Kent Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Kent Affordable Housing Task Force, the Kent Democratic Town Committee, Partners in Education and the 21st Century Committee; and advisor to the BINA Foundation.

And he was a longtime supporter and member of the Kent Lions Club.

 George is survived by his wife, Carrie (Madio) Struzynski and daughter, Evelyn, a freshman college student, both of Kent; a brother, the Rev. Wendell Ashby and his wife, Lonnie, of Spencer, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews; and a great-nephew.

George was predeceased by his mother, Evelyn Jeannette Edele (Ashby) Struzynski; his father, George Walter Struzynski; and a brother, Robert Ashby.

 Friends, colleagues and acquaintances are invited to gather together to celebrate George’s life by  bringing their favorite George stories, photos, news clippings, memories, etc., to a celebration of life service on Saturday, May 15, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Swift House in Kent.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Evelyn Struzynski Scholarship and mailed to Evelyn Struzynski Scholarship, c/o Union Savings Bank, 15 Green Blvd., Kent, CT 06757.