Thomas E. Csizmadia, Sr, 74, of Fairfield, loving and devoted husband of 53 years of Joan Holden Csizmadia, died peacefully January 22, at St Vincent's Medical Center. Although he died of a heart attack, the Csizmadia family was blessed to get three additional years after his son Tim donated a kidney to him on January 16, 2014. Born in Bridgeport, the son of the late Charlotte and Anthony Csizmadia, he had been a lifelong Fairfield resident.

In addition to his wife, he will be sadly missed by his four sons and their wives, Timothy M. and Laura Csizmadia of Newtown, Thomas E. Jr and Kathleen Csizmadia of Fairfield, Scott H. and Terri Csizmadia of Shelton, and Brian A. and Kelly Csizmadia of Trumbull. In addition, "Papa" will be missed by his cherished seven grandchildren, of whom he was so proud, Anthony, Kati, Brandon, Colin, Scott Jr, Summer, and Colton.

A graduate of Andrew Warde High School, he served in the United States Navy. Immediately after his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr Csizmadia married his high school sweetheart, Joan, as soon as he could after her high school graduation.

He joined the Fairfield Fire Department in 1964 and retired in 1984. During those years, Mr Csizmadia always worked hard to support his growing family, including part-time as a butcher at Fairway Beef in Fairfield, which allowed Joan to stay home with their children. He then became general manager for the Sisters of Notre Dame buildings and grounds, which later became part of Fairfield University. He subsequently worked as head custodian at Helen Keller Middle School in Easton.

Mr Csizmadia was an avid fisherman and also loved bow-hunting. He loved spending time on Long Island Sound with his family and at South Benson Boat Marina where he and Joan would spend many enjoyable days. He will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who would do anything for the benefit of his family and friends. He will be dearly missed by his wife Joan, as their love story began in the summer of 1959.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, January 26, at 10 am, meeting directly at St Emery Church, 838 Kings Highway East, Fairfield. Interment with military honors will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield.

Friends may call Wednesday, January 25, from 4 to 8 pm, in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford CT 06492 or at heart.org; or the National Kidney Foundation 1463 Highland Avenue, Cheshire CT 06410 or at kidney.org.

For information or to sign an online guest register, visit spearmillerfuneralhome.com.