A Mass of Christian burial for Joseph Shawinsky, a former teacher whose students included U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, was celebrated Saturday. Shawinsky died Sept. 22 at age 88. A Navy veteran, he was part of the invading force of Iwo Jima in 1945.
A graduate of Stamford Public Schools, Shawinsky relentlessly pursued his own education and was an outstanding educator and administrator who helped others achieve academically. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut, New York University and Fordham University. Shawinsky held assistant principal positions at Dolan, Cloonan, Turn of River and Burdick junior high schools, and also taught history at Burdick Junior High School and Rippowam High School.
During World War II, Shawinsky served with the U.S. Navy as a Seabee in the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion. He was with the first group of combat units to set foot on shore during the attack of Iwo Jima in 1945. Shawinsky's military story was told nationally in 2006, when he was among the guests in a Fox News documentary titled "War Stories with Oliver North." Shawinsky was a collector of antique clocks, a hobby that brought him great delight.
He is survived by daughter Jane (Marc) Fabrizio; son Robert (Missy) Shawinsky; and four grandchildren. Shawinsky was predeceased by his wife, Margaret; and a brother and two sisters.
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