Bernard Francis Grabowski
1923 - 2019
He was not on the list.
Bernard Francis Grabowski, 96, beloved husband of the late Anne (Gorski) Grabowski, died in Bristol on Friday, August 30, 2019. He was a longtime Bristol attorney and Democratic Party activist. He was born in New Haven on June 11, 1923 and was a son of the late Felixa (Szydlowski) Grabowski and John Grabowski.
When Grabowski was an infant, his family moved to Bristol
where he resided for the rest of his life. He graduated from Bristol High
School in 1941 and entered the U.S. Army where he fought in France during World
War II and received a Purple Heart for injuries in battle. After returning to
Bristol, Grabowski graduated from the University of Connecticut where he
received a B.S. in business administration and a law degree. Upon graduation,
he began practicing law with the late Louis Hanrahan, who was his law partner
and colleague throughout his career. Grabowski was active in Bristol civic
affairs and Democratic politics, where he was a member of the Bristol City
Council, the Board of Finance, and the Ethics Commission. In 1962, Grabowski
began serving two terms as a U.S. Congressman representing first the State of
Connecticut and later the former Sixth District in Washington, D.C. While in
Congress, he served on the Banking Committee and was privileged to support the
Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, Medicare, and much legislation that
continues to affect people's lives today. Upon returning to Bristol, Grabowski
returned to his law practice and retained his interest in politics, serving on
the Bristol Democratic Town Committee and attending many state Democratic
conventions. He was also a lifelong communicant of St. Stanislaus Church, where
he was a member of the Men's Organization, a former Finance Committee member,
and had many friends.
Grabowski leaves behind his two daughters: Carol Grabowski
of Arlington, Mass., and Diane Grabowski Barry (Deacon John Barry) of Medway,
Mass.; and three grandchildren: Sarah, David, and Nolan Barry. In addition to
his parents, he was predeceased by his wife: Anne (Gorski) Grabowski; and his
brother: Edward Grabowski.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday (Sept. 7, 2019) at
8:30 a.m. from Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Stanislaus
Church, 510 West St., Bristol, for a Mass of Christian Burial followed by
Military Honors at 10 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the
family. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home on Friday between 6
p.m. and 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stanislaus
Church, 510 West Street, Bristol, CT 06010.
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