Bednarz, Jr., Andrew J.

Andrew J. Bednarz, Jr., age 78 of Grapevine, TX left this earth on August 19, 2022. Andy was born to Andrew J. and Jean T. (Bingiel) Bednarz on December 14, 1943 in New Britain, CT. He was a loving husband to Anne (Leapley) Bednarz, to whom he was married for 35 years.

Andy attended local New Britain schools and was a 1961 graduate of New Britain High School. He was a member of the National Honor

Society as well as an All-state defensive tackle for the state champion Golden Hurricanes football team. He graduated from Kent State University in 1968 with a Bachelors in Business Administration and furthered his education with a Masters in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. Andy joined the Air Force during the Viet Nam conflict, and became a Navigator for the C-130 cargo planes, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He attained the rank of Captain and retired from the Air Force after eleven years of service.

He is survived by his wife Anne; brother Robert of Stuart, FL; and sisters Joan Smith of Ft. Pierce, FL and

Joyce Ciaffaglione of Burlington, CT; children Deanne Fitts and husband Donnie of Seymour, TX; Alan Swope of Boyd, TX; and Cheryl Dennis and husband Doc of Runaway Bay, TX. He dearly loved his grandchildren, Jess, Justin, Jacob and Logan; and great-grandchildren Zoe and Noah, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many other family and friends in Connecticut and Texas, along with old school friends Paul Amenta and Richard Opazda, with whom he still kept in touch over the years.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew & Jean Bednarz, and brother John Bednarz.

Memorials will be held in Texas and Connecticut at a later date.