Johann Engelbert Helmut Schwengerer

Johann Engelbert Helmut Schwengerer, age 88, most recently of Bridgeport, beloved husband of Karin Schwengerer, who predeceased him in 1991, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, February 27, 2025. 

Born in Spital Am Semmering, Austria on July 13, 1936 to Johann and Josefa Schwengerer. In 1956, just before his 20th birthday Johann fulfilled his childhood dream and immigrated to Canada settling in Kitchener, Ontario. Johann later immigrated to the United States, via Buffalo, NY in 1960. He settled in Norwalk, CT, where there was a large German/Austrian community. Johann would soon meet his future wife, Karin Krahl, at the German American Club in Norwalk. They dated for several years and were later married in 1967 and raised their family in Norwalk, in the home where Johann lived until 2023. Johann was a tool maker and mechanical engineer. He worked for F.A.G. Bearing in Stamford and U.S. Surgical in Norwalk where he rose to the position of Manager in Engineering. Johann helped design and build the surgical stapler. Following U.S. Surgical,Johann was self-employed in the automated production assembly field. Johann was a gifted mechanic. He enjoyed hours of building Ferrari and Bugatti engines and a Cobra kit car with his sons. Johann raced cars in the 60’s and 70’s,racing open cockpit race-cars at Limerock, Watkins Glen and Louden racetracks achieving a 2nd place win. His passion for all thing automotive was another second place finish to his love of family. He enjoyed taking his young sons Skiing and watching them play Soccer and he was proud of their accomplishments as adults. Johann's favorite thing in the world was being Opa to his two grandsons and watched enthusiastically as they played Ice Hockey. Johann felt it was a gift to be able to watch them grow and thrive. Johann was a man of many skills and talents. He renovated his home,showing his carpentry and engineering skills. He played a trombone, a skill he learned as a child from his musician father in Austria. In recent years he would join a friend and play at Senior centers in the area. He was a true gentleman in every way. Respectful, courteous, honorable and kind.Everyone who met him instantly liked him. He will be sadly missed by his two beloved sons, John C. Schwengerer and Stuart Schwengerer and his daughter-in law Jessamyn; two cherished grandsons, Joel and Dane Schwengerer; and his loving partner of 21 years, Andrea Paxton. 

Friends may greet the family to celebrate Johann’s life Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 2-5 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Interment will be held privately.