John Twarda, 92 went to his eternal rest at his home on Sturges Highway on Saturday, May 17, 2008—the same home he was born in more than 92 years ago.

Son of the late Krestyna and Alexander Twarda, he was born March 25, 1916 on Sturges Highway and he lived there his whole life, a true native of Westport.

John attended the old Greens Farms School, Bedford Junior High, and the old Staples High School. In April 1938, John was engaged by the Harlan family of Weston, the late John Marshall Harlan (former U.S. Supreme Court Justice) to run his estate and landscape the grounds.

Later that year, he was also engaged to do the same for J. Edward Lumbard of Greenfield Hill, Fairfield, a close friend of the Harlans. John’s close relationship with both of these families continued for more than 60 years to his death.

John was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps on June 15, 1942, serving most of his tour in the Pacific Theater as an Electrical Specialist with the 26th Bombardment Squadron in the 11th Bombing Group of the 7th Air Force.

John was a charter member of the Fairfield County Horticultural Society that was founded in 1938. John’s accomplishments in the society were numerous;. He served as the president, as well as corresponding secretary, 20 years as secretary and 12 years as treasurer.

John chaired many events in the society including the gala 50th anniversary dinner dance and the unforgettable “Mid-Summer Flower and Vegetable Show.”

John was probably best known as a horticultural judge having judged many Grange fairs, men’s garden club shows as well as the horticultural societies flower shows.

John’s own gardens were a sanctuary of beauty and reflected his love of the earth and his family.

John is survived by his sister Lillian Duquette of Westport; nieces Gabrielle Huqel of Germany and Mary Anne Cote of Southbury; nephews Frank Ditter Jr. of Southbury, Peter Uhrynowski, John Uhrynowski, both of Fairfield, Paul Uhrynowski of Shelton, and Thomas Kush, of Maryland. He is also survived by numerous grand nieces and nephews. 

John was predeceased by his sisters, Catherine, Ann, Mary, brother Stephen, and loving brother Peter whom he lived with until his death in 1981. Special thanks to John’s friend John Wisnowski who worked for him for more than 20 years. The family would like to thank Eunice Bobb for the devotion and wonderful care she gave John.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. from the Harding Funeral Home 210 Post Road East,and 10 a.m. in St. Lukes Church, 84 Long Lots Road. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms Road.

Memorial contributions in memory of John Twarda may be made to Father Flanagan’s Boys Town, P.O. Box 700 and 300, Boys Town, NE 68010