John Church

John Raymond Church, 72, of Plymouth, CT, passed into eternal rest at Waterbury Hospital on June 17, 2021.  He was born August 21, 1948 in Hartford, CT, the son of the late Dr. Raymond and Ruth Church of Winsted, CT. At birth, a medical event at the hospital left John with a brain injury. He was mute, deaf, autistic, and had a slight palsy. But he could see, feel, and smell (especially coffee!) very well. As he grew older, medications were developed that helped him lead a fuller life. John was clever, caring, admirably determined, and loved having everyone and everything in "good order". He would advocate, in his own way, for his peers, and liked to make sure they were always ok. John was often unknowingly funny. He loved wearing a hat, as his Mom did, and resembled his Dad in appearance and gestures.  He enjoyed relaxing, organization, occasional summer trips to Camp Harkness, and group outings. He first lived at Ann's Nursery in Norfolk, then Southbury Training School until 2012, when he moved into a lovely Community Residences group home in Plymouth, CT.

We were blessed by his last days, as we sat by his bedside, praying and sharing memories of his special presence in our world, until his final moments. 
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Victor Kowalski, and dear friends Bill Moore and Mark Mothershed. John is survived by sisters Connie (Ed) Lizak, Susan (Mark) Caufield, nieces Catie Kelly, Kim Perron and Amy Lao, nephew Chris Kelly, and friends William McGinn and Karen Rowan. He will be greatly missed by his extended family of caregivers who we thank for enriching his life: Sandi C., John, Diane, Danny, House Manager Prince, Kwame, Joy, Tom, Brenda, Victor M., Sabina, Alexandra, Toka, Toni, Stephanie and the Day Program Team, Martin, Ben, Judy, Lisa J., and Lisa P.  We also thank Dr. Diaz, Dr. Mubbashar, and finally, at Waterbury Hospital, Dr. Cosgriff, Dr. Skobodzinski, and the skilled ICU nurses. 

A graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, at the Albough Rd. side gate, in Pleasant Valley, CT. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 11a.m.

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