Anthony Louis Drapelick, our beloved Dad, died unexpectedly at home in his study on Monday evening, October 31, 2016. Born November 25, 1932 to Anton Francis and Barbara Drapelick, Dad spent his formative years in the Chicago suburbs, principally Downers Grove, and subsequently travelled to Albuquerque to continue his college education at the University of New Mexico. Following two years’ service in the Army (Germany, 1954-1955), Dad returned stateside and enrolled at Marietta College (Ohio) in January 1956. Within a month, he met Elizabeth Keitz who would be his beloved partner and wife for almost 45 years until April 2002. Mom and Dad were married June 4, 1957, a day after his graduation from Marietta, and they drove directly to West Hartford in anticipation of his new job at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company in Bloomfield. Simsbury became home in 1962, and once the family was completed with the arrival of three children, a final relocation was made to West Simsbury in 1969. In almost 33 years at Connecticut General (CIGNA in 1981), Dad contributed to underwriting operations, pension trust, HR data-processing, and healthcare consulting. He joined the managerial ranks of CG in 1967 and earned his CLU designation in 1972. One of his proudest accomplishments during the CG years was his successful effort to assist hundreds of displaced workers at the time of the merger. Departing CIGNA in 1990, he joined the outplacement consulting firm of Drake Beam Morin and worked largely from the West Hartford office. During the 1990s, Mom and Dad, both enjoying good health, indulged their interest in travel and thoroughly enjoyed numerous European and North American destinations. Retiring in 2004, Dad deepened his engagement and service with several community organization including Auer Farm in Bloomfield, Community Solutions Inc., Families in Crisis, the Simsbury Design-Review Board, and the St. Catherine of Siena parish where he served in multiple roles since the parish’s inception in 1972. Immediate survivors include son, Anthony Todd Drapelick (Barbara) of Middlebury, Vermont; two daughters, Kay Long (Charles) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Barbara Mitchell (David) of Hanover, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Madalin Elizabeth and David Michael Mitchell (Popi was so proud of you!); brother, Norman Drapelick of Chicago; sister Diane McCarty (David) of Littleton, Colorado; and dear friend, Patricia Estill who buoyed Dad’s spirit in the last 12 years.
Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Auer Farm, 158 Auer Farm Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or to Community Solutions, Inc., 340 West Newberry Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or to Families in Crisis, 60 Popieluszko Court, Hartford, CT 06106. Please visit Dad’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.