Major Eugene J. Zaleta

Major Eugene Joseph Zaleta, USAF Retired, the husband of Juliana (Hlavata) Zaleta, of Baldwin Road, Newtown, died at Danbury Hospital on August 14.

He was born in Danbury, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Kolinchak) Zaleta. He was raised and educated in Danbury. Mr Zaleta attended St Joseph School and was a graduate of Danbury High School class of 1952. He obtained a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) from the University of South Carolina and Western Connecticut State University and a master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

Mr Zaleta began his career with the Air Force in 1952, which involved duties including navigator/radar intercept officer, air traffic control and chief of Reconnaissance Academic School. He directly supervised instructors and enlisted specialists and concentrated on designing the military curriculum. Mr Zaleta retired with the rank of major in 1972.

From 1974 to 1989 he worked as licensing coordinator for the State of Connecticut, Division of Special Revenue. Mr Zaleta developed and initiated all corporation and executive licensing procedures dealing with statewide legalized gambling as well as ensured compliance with statute and regulation mandates.

A resident of Newtown since 1972, he was a member of the Republican Town Committee and a former member of Newtown Legislative Council, serving one term representing District 2. Mr Zaleta was also a former member of the Republican State Central Committee and a former president of the Lee Hartwell Chapter, Retired Officers Association. He was a former member of Newtown Lions Club and a member of the Danbury Hospital Development Fund Committee.

In addition to his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, survivors include his two daughters whom he adored, Alexandra and Larisa Zaleta, both of Newtown; a sister, Dorothy Clark and her husband, Joseph, and a nephew, Randy Garrison, all of Escondido, Calif.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 17, at 10 am, in St Rose of Lima Church. Interment with military honors will follow at St Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

Calling hours were scheduled at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, on Thursday, August 16, from 5 to 8 pm.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Danbury Hospital Intensive Care Unit, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06180; Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801; or Newtown Ambulance Association, PO Box 344, Newtown, CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee         August 17, 2001