Richard “Dick” Gribko Sr.
Richard Joseph “Dick” Gribko Sr., 88, of Cheshire, Connecticut, passed away on Sunday December 18, 2022. He was born in Bridgeport on April 29, 1934, to Alexander and Irene Gribko.
After graduating from Roger Ludlowe High School and the University of Connecticut, where he played basketball and studied education, Dick went onto graduate school and received his Seventh-Year Degree at Wesleyan University. He was a dedicated history teacher in Fairfield for over 35 years, first at Fairfield Woods Junior High, then at Roger Ludlow and Fairfield High School. While he lived recently in Cheshire, he lived most of his life in Fairfield, Connecticut. His children remember how challenging it was to get through the grocery store quickly, as all of his neighbors and students would stop to say hello. He was a superb storyteller and enjoyed sitting in his favorite chair, spinning stories to amuse all. He loved traveling again and again to his favorite places on earth: Prince Edward Island, where he enjoyed camping on the beach and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves; Penfield Beach at sunset, where he would enjoy one of the four newspapers he read daily; Cape Cod, where he loved to visit on the offseasons because it was quiet and he could pedal through the streets with one of his children on the back of his bike; Gettysburg, where he would pontificate on the history of the Civil War while his children longed to see what candy existed in the gift shop; Sturbridge Village, where he would revel in stumping the actors in their knowledge of colonial times; and Kauai, where the most difficult question of the day was “Pool or beach?” Dick was a member of the Fairfield Democratic Town Committee and was also very active with the local teachers’ union. He fought valiantly for public schools and the community. He was a true life-long learner, loved the Fairfield Public Library, and had many interests. He was an avid gardener who ran home from teaching each day to ensure his garden was happy. He was a sports enthusiast who could easily spout statistics and was a loyal fan of the UConn basketball teams. Dick was passionate about politics, both local and national, and believed that we all have the capacity to make our communities stronger. He was a tireless advocate for Habitat for Humanity, affordable housing and sustainable urban development.
Dick is survived by his children: Richard Joseph Gribko Jr. (Sondra Weimar) of New Jersey, Robert (Victoria) Gribko of Cheshire, and Joy (Bryan) Wentzel of Washington State; grandchildren: Leah and Noah Gribko, Kaitlyn and Jack Gribko, and Elio and Hugh Wentzel; and great-grandchild Savannah Gargiulo; former wife: Hope Maloney; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers: Robert and Alexander Gribko.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 21, 2023 at 4 pm at the Penfield Beach Jacky Durrell Pavilion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dick’s name can be made to Habitat for Humanity and the ACLU. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Street, Southington, CT 06489 has been entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and directions please visit www.DellaVecchiaSouthington.com