John Raymond Kordak
John Raymond Kordak, 62, husband of 36 years to Mary Erby Kordak of Hamden, passed away suddenly on October 4, 2009. He was born in Stamford on January 13, 1947 to the late Violet Van Houten Kordak and John Kordak of Cromwell. John is survived by Mary, his two children, Naomi Kordak of Somerville , MA and John Paul Kordak of Monhegan Island, ME and his sister, Nancy Buergelt and her husband Claus of Gainesville, FL. John grew up in Darien and Woodbridge before moving to New Haven and then settling in Hamden where he has lived for the past 28 years. He worked for Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates, and designed several chairs for Charles McMurray including the award winning Manhattan Chair, before going into business for himself. He loved creating beautiful spaces for people to live in and enjoy. John was a craftsman and an artist whose paintings of Maine scenes are displayed in galleries and reproduced on cards that sell throughout New England, along with his hand-fashioned wooden birds. Summers spent on Monhegan Island and the White Mountains of New Hampshire were special times for John and his family. John's family and friends will set off for different destinations, but remain together in their love for him. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 9th at the Church of the Redeemer, 185 Cold Spring St., New Haven at 1 p.m. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday evening at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Dear Mary, John, and Naomi, It is with great sadness that I write to you. I have fond memories of your family at the west woods school kindergarten activities. May God bless all of you Laura Ciccarelli Perretta
Dear Mary, Naomi, and JP … Sending you all a hug and a prayer. It is a privilege to have known … and to have ‘joshed about’ a tad with John over these several August summah daze. Warm blessings to you all. Dick Bennett
Dear Mary,Naomi,and JP,I am saddened to learn of John’s passing.While it has been many years since I’ve seen you I often think of you and your family.I think of Naomi and wonder what she is like all grown up.God Bless You are in my prayers.
It was a privilege to know John. He was a talented artist and a good man. He will be missed by us all. We send our sincere sympathies to his family. From all of us at The Working Art Gallery.
mary, john paul, and naomi: terrible surprise and literal shock to read of john’s death; i hope to see you all tomorrow bill fischer
Mary, Naomi and JP: I am so sad. I am thinking on you and praying the best I can. Take Care of yourselves. Love, Bryan
My deepest condolences go out to John’s family. He was a wonderful man, artist and friend. He will sadly be missed.
My deepest condolences to the family for losing such a treasure of a husband, a father and a son.
Pappa X was a loving father and friend. We’ll miss him dearly.
Dear Mary, JP, and Naomi We are deeply saddened to hear of John’s passing. His smiling face and positive attitude will surely be missed. He loved you all and often spoke of how proud he was of all of you. His great insight and parenting advice will be treasured. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of need. Hugs, Heather and Tracey from Dr. Quigley’s office
I will always remember John’s warm smiles (and sometimes fresh cookies) at our 5:30 am girls hockey practices. He and Mary were always supportive of Naomi’s commitment to playing hockey, and they were all instrumental in helping launch the girls hockey program at Hamden HS.
John holods a place in all of our hearts. He will be deeply missed. Dyan, Mike Jed, Ruby and Zoe.
Mary,JP,and Naomi, The shock of John’s passing is overwhelming. He with out a doubt the nicest person I ever knew on the island, my thoughts are with all of you.
Oh my dear Mary, Naomi, and JP – I am so very sorry. John was one of the sweetest men I’ve ever known. He will be missed by many! Clare
Our family has such wonderful memories of John, going back more than 25 years. He was an important part of Ian and Chris’s childhood – from the neighborhood to Indian Guides to hiking in the mountains. He will be sorely missed by many.
To the Kordak Family – I don’t think I ever saw Papa Kordak without a smile on his face and a cowbell in his hand. Every practice, every game, he was always cheering us on. He always greeted me with a hug and made me feel like family. He had a beautiful spirit and positive outlook that will be missed by so many. Sending my prayers to you in this difficult time.
Dear Mary, John Paul, and Naomi, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking back, I realized that your family has known me longer than anyone outside my immediate family in the entire world. I have so many incredible memories from my childhood spent with you guys on Cannon St. I can’t even begin to estimate the amount of time I spent at your house, running around the backyard, usually causing trouble with John Paul. Thank you for everything, and I’ll always remember John.
I am so very sorry to hear of John’s death and send my deepest sympathies to all his family….Monhegan will not be the same without him there…it is a great loss to all who new him. Ruthie Szostek
IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST MR.KORDAK WAS MY SECOND FATHER! WE WILL ALWAYS MISS HIM LOVE ALWAYS THE PATTERSON AND HARRIS FAMILY
Wishing you all the best. My thoughts are with you.
Dear Nancy: I graduated from Amity Regional High School with you. I live in Nobleboro, Maine for 6 months out of the year and read about your brother in the Lincoln County News. I am so sorry for your loss. Ironically, I was on Monhegan Island today. It is indeed a small world.
I would like to express my condolences. I have known J.P. for a few years in my time as a sternman on Monhegan. J.P. is a good friend and he welcomed me to the island and helped teach me the ropes, for which I’m always grateful. He made a new very unique place like the island fun for me right from the start. I was lucky to meet Mr. Kordak in Spring 2008. We were both working on the restoration effort at the Monhegan house. I admired first off his skill as a finish carpenter. I also admired him as someone with obvious good nature. He was very easy for me to talk to. We were able to talk about each others trade, island life, and most of all family. J.P. was our strongest common bond, and Mr. Kordak had no trouble expressing how much he loved and cared about his family. In my short time knowing him that is what I admired most about him. I admired him as a father who seemed to have a strong connection to his children, and true concern for their happiness. Thank you, William Harris
Dear Mary, J.P. and Naomi, Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. We are truly sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed John’s quiet laugh, his composure and good cheer, making us feel welcome on Monhegan. Love, The Harpers
To my brother I will always love you Last time we talk on the phone was so nice I will keep that in my heart until I go to sleep the green grass and the blue sky will be waiting on you when you come back,In The new world and it going to be so much grass for you to cut(Smile)!!!!!! Jehovah Love you so much John. So get all your rest now because you have so much work to do when you wake-up It going to be soon!!!! Love your Baby sister Tracy Erby