Joseph E. Yanzo, Jr, 71, of Newtown, widower of the late Elizabeth Rogers Maestro Yanzo, died peacefully on Sunday, June 30, surrounded by all of his children after a hard-fought battle with leukemia.

Mr Yanzo was born in Bridgeport on July 21, 1941, to Joseph and Anita Dymek Yanzo. He grew up in Bridgeport, and was a graduate of Bullard Havens Technical School. He was proud to be a US Navy Veteran, serving aboard the USS Antietam. He often told stories of the time he spent in the Navy, how hard Navy life was, but also of the fun he had.

Mr Yanzo was an employee of Viking Wire for more than 25 years and later Sandlapper Fabrics, both formerly of Danbury, before retiring in 2004.

Mr Yanzo had a lifelong passion for the music of Bob Dylan. He closely followed his career and went to see him in concert many times over the years, often with his lifelong friend Bob Litzie of Stratford. He was also an avid Chicago Bears fan, and when the game was on, everything came to a halt.

He was a kindhearted man who enjoyed the simple things in life, his family, especially his grandchildren, good food, a glass of cold milk and his sweets. He was known as “Papa Joe” to not only his grandchildren, but to many others who loved him dearly.

Mr Yanzo is survived by his daughter Christine Bojarczyk and her husband Rick of Danbury; his son, Joseph E. Yanzo III of Torrington; his stepdaughters Dawn Maestro-Blom and her husband Jeff, and Debbie Maestro-Barrigas, all of Thomaston; a sister, Elaine Dwyer of Shelton; his six grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr Yanzo was predeceased by a sister, Joan Boboc.

Family and friends may call to Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street in Danbury on Tuesday, July 2, from 4 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 3, at 10 am, in St Peter’s Church, 104 Main Street in Danbury. Burial with military honors will follow in St Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Healing Hearts Bereavement Center, 73 Stadley Rough Road, Danbury CT 06811. To sign a book of remembrance and to offer condolences on line, visit www.thegreenfuneralhome.com.

The Newtown Bee                                         posted July 2, 2012