Vincent Joseph Brozek, long-time vice president at Connecticut Wheel & Rim Company, has died. He was 96.
Brozek passed away on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at Masonicare in Wallingford, Conn. Born in New Haven, Conn., he was the son of the late Sophie Swiatek Brozek and Frank Brozek. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Kathryn Clifford Brozek, by his daughter, Patricia K. Brozek, brothers John Brozek, Frank Brozek, Eugene Brozek and sisters Helen Sajak and Emily Kalentec. Vincent is survived by sons Brian (Debra) Brozek of Jacksonville and Gregory (Barbara) Brozek of North Haven, Conn., grandchildren Melanie Brozek and Sean Brozek and brother August Brozek. He lived in North Haven, Woodbridge, and Naples, Fla., and most recently resided in Branford.
He joined the Navy in 1942 and was accepted into the V-12 program attending both Wesleyan University and Yale University, playing football for both universities. He was a member of the “Class of 1947” at Yale.
Vincent officiated both high school and college basketball as a member of the ECAC and retired as an honorary member of the New Haven District Board of Basketball Officials. He was also the second president of the Greater New Haven Baseball Umpires Association working many high school and college baseball games.
Brozek was vice president of Connecticut Wheel & Rim for more than 40 years and, after retirement from there, went on to help found two major marketing groups in the heavy-duty parts business, VIPAR Heavy Duty and Truck Pride. He was also very fond of and involved, for many years, with the National Wheel & Rim Association.
He was a past president of the North Haven Lions Club of which he was a member for 28 years, and a member of the Lions Club Quarter Century Club. He was also a longtime member of Mory’s Association at Yale.
An avid golfer, Brozek was a member of the Yale University Golf Club for many years and served seven terms as president of the Eli Golf Club. He was also a member of Countryside Golf & Country Club in Naples, Fla.
Additionally, Brozek was a longtime parishioner at St Barnabas in North Haven and at Our Lady of the Assumption in Woodbridge where he volunteered for many years. He loved cooking and entertaining and was an avid sports and Red Sox fan. He will be genuinely missed. A special thanks to the Masonicare Health Center for their excellent care and compassionate support.
