John J. Galayda Sr

John James Galayda Sr., 91, of Southington passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at his home. He had been the loving husband of the late Margaret (Larkins) Galayda for 43 years.

Born in Southington on March 28, 1923 to the late Andrew and Mary (Maderic) Galayda, he had been a lifelong Southington resident.

John proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. While John spent many years working in the engineering department at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, his heart was always in police work. He loved the years he spent on the Southington Police force. John was a skilled woodworker and built a few homes in Southington, including his own. After his retirement, he took on a second career at helping to build a hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. That led to more than a dozen trips to the Dominican and Haiti, where he worked on the hospital, schools, churches and other building projects.

John was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Southington. He was named the church's first Deacon Emeritus. He was a volunteer at Camp Wightman in Stonington, where his carpentry skills were put to use as part of the "Thursday Crew." John served for many years on the board of directors at Connecticut Baptist Homes in Meriden.

John is survived by his six children: John Galayda Jr. and his wife Bernadette of Southington; Diane Gooding of Bristol; Cheryl Galayda of Bristol, Bonnie Galayda of Boston, MA, Laureen Galayda of Southington and Carol Galayda of Cambridge, MA; ten grandchildren: Matthew Gooding and his Kelly of Bristol; Eric Galayda and his wife Darlene of Plainville; Cara Gooding of Farmington; Tamera Gooding of Jamaica Plain, MA, Kimberly Pascarelli and her husband Andrew of Danbury; Joshua Gooding of Bristol; Jillian Nowlin of Alexandria, VA; Bonnie Lender-Pena and her husband Santiago of Bristol, Jeffrey Nowlin of Malden, MA and Rebecca Lender of New Britain and 8 great-grandchildren: Cody, Casey, Caitlyn, Chase, Maeve, Carter, Arielle and Jesus and by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his infant son, Jeffrey and 2 brothers, Andrew and Michael and 3 sisters; Lillian, Mary and Anna.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington, CT 06489 designated either to the Roof Fund, Camp Wightman Fund or to the DR Mission Team.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on February 1, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington. Burial will be held privately and at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.

FUNERAL SERVICES

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington, CT 06489 designated either to the Roof Fund, Camp Wightman Fund or to the DR Mission Team.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on February 1, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 581 Meriden Ave., Southington. Burial will be held privately and at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.