A Life Well-Lived

John D. Mordasky 97, of Stafford Springs, CT, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, April 1, 2023. John was born and raised in Stafford, CT, the son of the late Francis and Sophia (Dunay) Mordasky who immigrated from Czechoslovakia to Torrington, CT and later moved to Stafford Springs. John graduated Cum Laude from UCONN College of Agriculture as an Animal Science Major. It was there at UCONN that he met the love of his life, Louise Rosemary Rossiter, better known as “Rosie”. John was predeceased by his parents and six siblings; Julia Ramlo, Antionette Stevens, Katherine Mordasky, Mary Pernoski, Helen Edmisten, and Francis Mordasky.

John worked all his life as a dairy farmer on his farm, Pinerise Dairy Farm. John was involved in politics, however, he was a politician long before he was even elected. He always had an opinion and was not afraid to share it. He was willing to talk politics with anyone who could keep up with him. John served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing the 52nd district for 22 years, simultaneously milking his cows twice a day. John was very well known and respected in the House by both Republicans and Democrats. During his years as a State Representative, he served on many committees including the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. He was an Assistant Majority Leader in the Connecticut State House of Representatives. John was very accomplished as a politician and brought about many positive changes for the district he represented. John was named by Connecticut Council of Small Towns, as the 'Legislator of the Year' in 1996. He was very active in his community as well, serving on the Board of Selectmen, and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was active in 4H and was an honorary member of the FFA, as well as a lifelong member of the Connecticut Milk Producers Association. John was a member of St Edward Parish in Stafford Springs, and the parishioners will remember him fondly as he was a collection usher for many years.

John not only served the people of Stafford and Connecticut, he served all of us by enlisting in the United States Army in 1943, at the age of 17. John was very proud to have been able to serve his country. He served in the Army Air Corps as a tail gunner on a B29 and flew 22 missions over the Empire of Japan. Throughout his life he always expressed his gratitude for the 6,500 marines that gave their lives to reclaim the island of Iwo Jima, where he crash landed two times. He believed it was due to the Marines that he was able to survive the War.

John and Rosie raised their family on the farm, and there were always chores to do. At one time, Pinerise Dairy Farm housed 600 dairy cows as well as dogs, cats, and twenty-six horses. John had a passion for horses and Rosie was an accomplished equestrian. Their idea of a perfect date night was having dinner on the farm, hitching the trailer to the truck, then traveling to the horse auction where they would often save as many as four horses in one evening. John was many things to many people, in addition to being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a farmer, a blacksmith, a saw-mill operator, a mechanic, an electrician, a politician and an American. He will always be remembered for his cowboy hat and cowboy boots, especially in the Capitol building in Hartford. John will be remembered and missed by his wife of seventy-four years, Rose and their six children; Rose Hice, and her predeceased husband Paul Hice, Maureen Festi, Dr. Frances Traylor and her husband Dan Traylor, Dr. David Mordasky and his wife Judith Mordasky, Bill Mordasky and his wife Janice Mordasky, and John Mordasky, Jr., and his wife Kimberly Mordasky. His grandchildren; Catherine, Christopher, Brian, David, Stella, Ryan, Lorin, Victoria, Andrew, Ashley, Lauren, Matt, Tom, Annette, Christina, Mark, JD and Sophie. Also, twenty-nine great-grand children, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

"For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed. Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended, Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended. You raised a fine family, worked the land well under the hot summer sun, Hang up your shovel inside the barn; your work on earth is done. Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, Your legacy lives on, your love of the Land, and yes [John] – we will close the gate." — Nancy Kraayenhof

John is on the lower-left of the B-29 crew.

About the Book

This book — based on interviews, research and historical documents — chronicles the experience of John Mordasky as a tail gunner with a B-29 crew during the twilight of World War II. He went on 20 missions in the Pacific, and each of those missions is recounted here based on a mission diary, and interviews with Mordasky and the only other surviving crewmember.

You can purchase a copy of this book HERE.