Clarence Przybyl
— Clarence Oakdale E. Przybyl, 89, passed away after a brief illness Sunday, July 23, 2023, at his home in Oakdale. He was born Sept. 15, 1933, in Ripon, Wis., to the late John and Josephine (Pralat) Przybyl.
Clarence graduated from Ripon High School in Ripon, Wis. He was a standout baseball player, being offered an opportunity to play semipro baseball after graduation. Instead, Clarence followed the path of his two older brothers and joined the United States Navy. Clarence served from 1952 to 1956 on the USS Cobb as a sonarman, achieving the rank of petty officer first class in less than four years.
After his Navy service, Clarence attended the University of Tulsa, graduating in 1960, with a degree in geophysical engineering. Following his graduation, Clarence married the love of his life, Lorane (Vogt) Przybyl on June 4, 1960, in Oshkosh, Wis. Following their wedding, Clarence and Lorane moved to Connecticut, where Clarence began his career at the Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory as an electrical engineer and program manager working on various sonar systems. His career included work at Navy facilities across the United States, as well as Europe and Asia. Clarence retired in 1997 after a distinguished career of 37 years.
In addition to his professional career, Clarence was an active leader in scouting, beginning when his sons joined Cub Scouts. Clarence served as an adult leader for 50 years including cubmaster, scoutmaster, committee chairman and charter organization representative. Clarence went on many campouts in snow, rain and heat, and was an accomplished camp cook. Clarence was also a Little League baseball coach for many years and also active in the Knights of Columbus and a communicant of Our Lady of the Lakes Church.
Clarence was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who loved traveling with his family. His favorite vacations were his numerous trips to Hawaii, with wife Lorane. Clarence’s other great passion was the Green Bay Packers. A lifelong fan, Clarence attended Packers games as a boy, sitting on the 50-yard line with his uncle.
Not just a fan, Clarence was also an owner, his proudest possession being his share of Green Bay Packers stock.
In addition to his wife and parents, Clarence was predeceased by his infant son Todd; his sister Agnes; and his brothers Edward, Florian and David. Clarence will be missed by his surviving children: John and his wife Lisa of Oakdale, Daniel and his wife Lori of Hillsborough, N.C., Gregory and his wife Karen of Tewksbury, Mass., Lori Baron and her husband Mark of Ledyard and Thomas and his wife Donna of Portland, Maine; his brother Philip Przybyl; six grandchildren: Brittany, Michael, Sarah, Rebecca, Misty and Nathan; and one great-child, Enzo, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A Wake will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Montville Funeral Home of Church and Allen, 53 Route 32, Uncasville. A 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Oakdale. Burial will immediately follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Uncasville, followed by a reception. Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church,
752 Norwich-Salem Turnpike, Oakdale, CT 06370.