Jan Cipkala, age 96, formerly of Shelton, CT. and Bradenton, Florida, beloved husband of the late Helen Barbuschak Cipkala, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025.

Jan was born in Torysky, Czechoslovakia on February 2, 1929, to the late Jan and Anna (Cipkalova) Cipkala. He escaped communist rule and immigrated to the United States in August 1952. He became a United State citizen and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Jan met Helen, the love of his life, while visiting friends and family in Bridgeport, CT.  They married in June 1954, started their family, and moved to Shelton, CT in 1963 where they loved entertaining. They also began lessons for ballroom dancing, one of their favorite pastimes during their 63 years of marriage.

Jan was the former owner and president of Liberty Tool & Model Company, which he named in honor of his love for his new country. He frequently expressed his gratitude for the freedom and opportunities this country gave him.

Jan was a Master Mason, a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and the Shriners.  He enjoyed learning about history and geography and shared the love of travel with Helen. They traveled throughout the U.S. and many other countries over the years, and he was happy to be able to visit his family again in his homeland.  In the early 1990's, Jan and Helen retired and moved to Bradenton FL. They enjoyed more than 30 years of golf, travel and fun with a close community of friends, and many visits to Florida attractions with family.

Survivors include his devoted daughters, Claudia Kuchta of Oxford and Nancy Kunzik of Seymour, cherished grandchildren, Lauren (Jeffrey) Silberkleit, Kimberly Kunzik, Theodore Kunzik Jr., and Matthew Kuchta. In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Jan was pre-deceased by his son, Donald.

Visitation on Monday November 17, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford, followed by a Requiem Funeral Service at 11 a.m. in The Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist 364 Mill Hill Avenue Bridgeport. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring, may make donations in memory of Jan, to woundedwarriorproject.org . or to the charity of their choice.