Mr Kolesar grew up in Newtown and graduated from Newtown High School with the Class of 1988. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with the Class of 1992.

Maternal grandparents are John and Jan Tindall of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Paternal grandparents are William and Milda Kolesar of Newtown.

Maternal great-grandparents are Mildred Whitlock and John and Josephine Tindall of Indiana.

Paternal great-grandparent is Ernest Carlson of Clearwater, Fla.