Thomaston – Bohdan “Ben” S. Bereza, Jr., 74, lifelong resident of Thomaston, passed away on July 30, 2015 at Litchfield Woods Healthcare in Torrington with his partner Karen Eichner and friends, Ray and Madeleine Hubert by his side after a two year battle with cancer. Ben was born on May 30, 1941 in Waterbury, son of the late Bohdan Sr. and Olga (Dzus) Bereza. He served honorably and proudly in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era being stationed in Maryland. He was an avid traveler of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Ben worked as a machine designer at the Torrington CO. Watertown plant until his retirement in 2001. He collected antique cars, beer steins, model airplanes and was a gifted woodworker, able to make anything out of a piece of wood. Ben was a member of the Litchfield Hills Historic Car Club, the Hartford Car Club, and the CT Wood Carving Club. He is survived by his partner of 30 plus years, Karen Eichner; his brother, Theodore Bereza and his wife Andrea; two nieces, Elizabeth and Dana; a nephew, Nicolas and his wife Donna; and his special friend, Ray Hubert. The family would like to thank Caroline, Ben’s CNA at Litchfield Woods for her love and care. All services are private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ben Bereza Scholarship Fund at the Oliver Wolcott Technical School c/o Royals Garage, 16 Calhoun St., Torrington, CT 06790.
Bohdan “Ben” Bereza Jr. – 1941 – 2015 – collector of antique cars
