Reverend Edward M. Konopka
February 20, 1933 ~ February 16, 2022
The Reverend Edward M. Konopka, son of the late Myron T. and Anna M. Konopka died February 16, 2022, following a long illness.
Fr. Konopka, a Middletown native, attended local schools and graduated from Wesleyan University with distinction in French. His seminary studies followed at Grande Seminaire de Saint Brieuc, in Brittany, France. His ordination, June 25, 1960, was held in Middletown at St Francis of Assisi Church, his family parish.
His first assignment was assistant pastor to Fr. Norman St. Martin, in St. Peter’s in Higganum, CT.
Several appointments followed: St. Joseph in Occum; St. Mary’s Church in Putnam; St Mary Star of The Sea in New London; St. Bernard’s School in Uncasville; Sacred Heart Church in Vernon and then back to St. Peter Church in Higganum where he remained pastor for nearly 33 years.
While in Higganum, Fr. Konopka served in several additional posts – Vicar for Clergy, Dean of Middletown Deanery and Chaplain of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
Father leaves a brother, William Konopka of Cromwell, CT, and nieces Maura Dilk of Cromwell and Meg O’Connor of Schaumberg, IL. Father also leaves a sister, Myra-Anne Keller of Colorado Springs, CO, and her son Christopher Fiore of Columbia, CT. Niece, Karen Fiore-Green, of Glenview, IL predeceased her uncle.
Fr. Konopka’s death has left a huge void in many of the lives he touched. His intelligence, his sense of humor, his love of friends and especially the love he had for his family will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held beginning at 6:00pm on Friday, April 22, 2022, in St. Peter Church, 30 Saint Peter Lane, Higganum, CT. At 7:00pm a Parish Mass will be celebrated.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Peter Church, Higganum, CT, by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich.
Burial will be private. A reception in the church hall will follow.
The Biega Funeral Home of Middletown is overseeing the arrangements.