Lester M. Lacko, 95, of Southbury, passed away peacefully on the evening of April 15, at the Lutheran Home in Southbury. He was born on December 9, 1920, in Nizna Misla, Czechoslovakia, son of the late Michael and Mary Lacko. In 1927 he immigrated to Stamford, CT.
Upon graduating Stamford High School and the J.M. Wright Technical School, he began his career at Pitney Bowes in the machine shop. In 1943, his employment was interrupted when he enlisted in the Navy, proudly serving his country as a Machinist Mate Second Class during WWII. He served on the USS Scroggins Destroyer Escort 799, doing convoy duty in Africa and Sicily as well as anti-submarine patrol in the South and North Atlantic. He stood watch in the forward engine room, manning communications during battle stations, and earned American and European African Middle Eastern area ribbons. He proudly served active duty until his honorable discharge on December 7, 1945 and remained in the Navy Reserves until 1952. In 1948, he married Genevieve Bedynek, residing in Stamford with their four children, until moving to Newtown in 1972. In 1984 after 43 years of dedicated service, he retired from Pitney Bowes in Stamford, as a Senior Foreman and a member of the Oval Club, honoring his many years of service. In 1994, with his beloved wife of 65 years, he moved to Heritage Village in Southbury, where he enjoyed his many friends, walking, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren. He liked to play golf as often as he could, well into his 80's. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all that knew him. Mr. Lacko is survived by his children, Karen Marron, and her husband Stephen, their children Ryan and Ashley, all of Newtown, Thomas Lacko of Naugatuck, Elizabeth Randall of Southbury, her son Adam and his wife Marissa of Stamford, Steven Lacko of Maine, Mickey Jones of Norwalk, and his brother, John Lacko of Orange. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Genevieve and sister in law Gail. Services will be held Friday April 22, at 1:00pm, in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. Friends may call Friday morning from 11:00 am to 1:00pm, prior to the service. Interment will follow at St. Rose Cemetery, with full military honors. To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com

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