Late Dr. Drysgula was Renaissance man

Dr. Edward S. Drysgula Sr. died in Middletown Sept. 8 at 93. Ed was a dear friend and my dentist for more than 50 years. People like Ed helped make this country and towns such as Middletown great. He truly pulled himself up by his own bootstraps and became a beloved and respected husband, father, friend and dentist.

As a small boy born on the north side of Hartford, he shined shoes on the corner near Aetna to earn extra money for his family. From humble beginnings, he succeeded through hard work and willpower to educate himself, complete undergraduate and dental schools at prestigious colleges and universities, marry, raise a family and develop a highly successful dental practice. With his lovely wife, Helen, they raised two sons — each of whom became successful dentists.

He was an elite athlete, excelling at basketball when he was younger and golf throughout his life. He played basketball over the summers when he was in high school for the local Pratt & Whitney team in Middletown, where another great local athlete, Joe Tripp, recognized his abilities and recommended him for a scholarship at Georgetown University. He was the center and the highest scoring player during his career at Georgetown.

He loved music and played clarinet with the Middletown Symphonic Band since its inception. Once a week, he got together at his home with a friend for a “jam” session, with Dr. Ed playing his organ, accordion or clarinet. On Sundays, he would travel to venues in Connecticut and Massachusetts to play with a polka band. He delighted in the fact that over the years he played with some of the widely popular musicians and bands, including the Ray Henry Orchestra.

He was fiercely proud of his Polish ancestry, but even more proud to be an American. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic during the Korean conflict.

In his later years, he took care of the elderly patients in his dental practice: charging very little or nothing for his services, depending upon their ability to pay.

He was designated a “Home Town Hero” for his selflessness and dedication to the community. He was an inspiration to many with his indefatigable energy and cheerfulness not to mention his highly tuned sense of competition. He hated losing and did so infrequently.

He was a true Renaissance man and a dear friend. I will miss him. His family will miss him. Middletown will miss him. Philip F. Karpel, Sarasota, Florida