Karl Gerhard Paetzold

Karl Gerhard Paetzold, age 89, of Fairfield died on Sunday August 24th, 2014 at St. Vincent's Medical Center with his beloved wife and family by his side. Born in Hohenhausen, East Prussia in 1925 to Hulda (Rieger) Paetzold and Wilhelm Paetzold, he came to the United States with his wife Helma (Tischler) Paetzold in 1954 and settled in Whitestone, Queens, New York. He later moved to Fairfield in 1967 after accepting the position of Foreman for the fleet of trucks for Thomas English Muffins on Ardmore Street in Fairfield. When Thomas moved its depot to Wayne, New Jersey, Karl was asked to stay with the company with a promotion but he decided to remain in Fairfield and raise his family in the town he adopted as his home. He later bought his own bread route for Pepperidge Farm and knew all the mom and pop stops in Fairfield County. The last ten years before retirement, Karl was a proud employee of King Industries in Norwalk and always a coveted entertainment in the lunchroom. In 1990, Karl retired to raise and become the personal chauffer of his dear granddaughter Christie, while her parents worked. During his lifetime, Karl had many hobbies. In his younger years, he loved cars and hunting in the Catskills. He traveled the Northeast in his VW camper with his family and previously Europe on his motorcycle. In his later years, he was an avid reader of fiction and the CT Post, yet his most treasured times were spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a devoted Catholic and for many years, an usher for his beloved church St. Thomas Aquinas in Fairfield. In addition to his wife Helma, he is survived by his two children, Carol Kochefko and her husband Ronald of Trumbull and William Paetzold and his wife, Laurie of Glastonbury and three dear grandchildren- Christine Kochefko of Lordship and Haley and William Paetzold of Glastonbury. His brother, Herman Paetzold of Port St. Lucie Florida, predeceased him. The family is grateful to St. Vincent's Medical Center and Hospice for the excellent care and concern given to Karl during his last days on Earth and especially to nurses Carin Florin and Dena Sigovitch, true angels in time of need. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4-7 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com