Richard Joseph Jelenik, age 68, of Oxford entered into eternal rest on Friday August 15, 2014 in Griffin Hospital with his loving family and friends by his side. He was the beloved husband of Joanne (Mozesky) Jelenik for 44 years.
Richard was born in Bridgeport on September 30, 1945, he was the son of the late Alexander and Victoria (Vega), Jelenik. He was also raised in Stratford, CT. Richard was a Vietnam veteran and served with the 196th. Light Infantry Brigade in the U.S. Army. Upon his return home in 1969, he met and married his wife, Joanne and moved to Oxford where they have lived for the past 42 years. He proudly graduated from the Connecticut State Police Academy in 1971. Richard had an exciting career serving the State of Connecticut as a Trooper but his most memorable and enjoyable portion of his career was becoming a canine handler where he met his best friend and life- long devoted partner 'Buster', a black lab. Richard retired from the State Police in 1997. He was currently employed by Inter-con Security Systems as a Court Security Officer for the U.S. Federal District Court in Bridgeport.
Richard was an avid reader and enjoyed camping with his cherished family and friends at Lone Oak campground for the past 22 years. He loved telling and listening to stories while sitting around a campfire. He will be sadly missed by many including his current black lab, 'Truman'.
He will be remembered as a devoted father to Christine Anne Jelenik and a treasured Grandfather 'Grampy' to his 3 year old grandson, Paul Richard. He is also survived by his brother, Alexander Jelenik and wife, Claire of Shelton, his sister, Judith Lilly of Stratford and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials: Donations may be made to the CT State Police Museum in loving memory of TFC Richard Jelenik to CSPAAAMEC, P.O. Box 1945, Meriden, CT 06450.

Cemetery: Mountain Meadows Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: St. Thomas the Apostle

Services: A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Oxford Rd. Oxford for a mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Mountain Meadow Cemetery, Seymour.

Visitation: Family and Friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, August 18th. from 4-8 at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 235 Main Street North, Southbury, CT.