John A. Denisevich

JOHN A. DENISEVICH 
Long Time Heritage Village Computer Club President

Roxbury-- John A. Denisevich, age 93, of Roxbury, formerly of Heritage Village, Southbury, CT, passed away at Bethel Health Care Center on March 5, 2022. He was predeceased by his brother Sam, his sister Anne Anderson, and his wife Evelyn (Pavlo), in a marriage of 64 years. John was born May 31, 1928 in Bridgeport, CT, son of the late John and Nadia (Molchan) Denisevich. 

After graduating high school, he was employed by Bridgeport Hospital performing carpentry maintenance and learning to use tools and machines. His humorous reference to "high tech medieval" assignments described him sharpening surgical bone-cutting chisels on a foot-operated grinding wheel. 

In 1948 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for three years, trained to maintain airborne radio equipment. Then, he was assigned to Langley Air Force Base, VA to work on B26 bombers. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, he didn't let a one year military extension interfere with plans to marry Evelyn, whom he met on New Year's Eve during their senior year in high school. Following an honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant, he was employed by General Electric, trouble-shooting electronic radar circuits. He simultaneously attended engineering classes at night, with the goal of attaining a college degree.

John ultimately earned a bachelor's of science degree in industrial management from the University of Connecticut in Storrs. After graduation, he was employed as an industrial engineer, analyzing, planning and relocating manufacturing operations for major corporations, such as Sikorsky Aircraft, Colt FireArms and PTC Aerospace.

 John and Evelyn resided in Southbury for fourteen years before retiring and moving to Heritage Village in 1991, living in the beautiful community for twenty-five years. Requests for expertise led John to establish a consulting service, advising various firms for four years. He learned and applied AutoCad Computing programs to layout, move, and modify four-hundred automotive operations for Teleflex Incorporated, located in Waterbury, CT. He also redesigned a computerized cable testing machine in Metric and English format for Jaguar Cars, located in the United Kingdom.

In 1995, he was one of the founders of the Heritage Village Computer Club, teaching basic computing classes. He served as club president for twelve years, leading 14 board members. Concurrently, he worked for twelve years as a substitute teacher in the Region 14 school system. Often drawing on humor in conversations, he stated, "I retired three times in my life; you've got to keep active!" 

As a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church, in Southbury, John was a startup member of the Website committee, and a supporting member of the Knights of Columbus. Through his professional affiliation he served as director and president of Industrial Engineers, Chapter 82, at the University of New Haven. He was a member of American Legion Post 204 for more than twenty years. 

John was a man of many interests, including a love of reading, woodworking, gardening, golfing and attending the theater. Later in life, he discovered a passion for watercolor painting and spent many hours in art class learning and practicing blending colors and mastering techniques. As a fitness enthusiast, he jogged well into his 70's, and enjoyed the gym into his 90's. As a veteran, he took great pride in having served the country he loved so much. Of the myriad of activities that occupied John's life, it was events with Evelyn and their family which made for a fulfilling lifetime of family love. 

He is survived by four children: Carol Spencer of Westerly, RI; Ellen Grickis, husband Bill, of Bethlehem, CT; son Richard Denisevich, of Haddam Neck, CT; and Lisa Roush, husband Mathew, of Roxbury, CT. He also leaves seven beloved grandchildren: Brooke Brooks, husband Kevin, of Exeter, RI; Kevin Spencer, of Los Angeles, CA; Carter Grickis, of Santa Monica, CA; Grayson Grickis, husband Cyran Itzkovitz of Litchfield, CT; Jack Roush, Henry Roush and Katherine Roush of Roxbury, CT. In addition, there are two great-grand sons, Colton and Benjamin Brooks, of Exeter, RI, and several nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends may visit in the daily chapel of Sacred Heart Church on Monday, April 4 from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 AM.  Internment with full military honors will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family requests that you wear a shade of blue, John's favorite color if attending the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to: Roxbury Ambulance Association - Post Office Box 94 - Roxbury, CT 06783-0146.

The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.carpinofuneralhome.com.

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