Casimir Joseph Harazda, 95, was born on March 13, 1921 in Irvington, New Jersey to Thaddeus and Kazmiera Harazda (Chrobenczenka). He passed away on June 14, 2016 at Melech Hospice House in Tampa, Florida surrounded by a loving family. He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Payne Elizabeth Harazda, who he married on December 26, 1945. Additionally he is preceded in death by son Christopher Harazda; brother Thaddeus Harazda; and sister Irene Roman. He is survived by son’s Robert Thaddeus Harazda of Tampa, FL; John Oliver Harazda of Denton, TX; sister Helen Finch of Livingston, NJ; grandchildren James Harazda, Christopher Harazda, Lori Harazda (Carr), and Kevin Harazda; and five great-grandchildren Catlyn Carr, Charles Carr, Colin Carr, Cedon Harazda, and Cecelia Harazda.
Lt. Col Harazda (Ret.) served in the United States Air Force from September 8, 1943 to April 30, 1967, a career spanning almost 24 years. At the time of his discharge he was authorized to wear the Air Force Commendation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
A memorial service to honor the life of Casimir Joseph Harazda will be held on July 21st at 10:45 AM at Bay Pines National Cemetery in Bay Pines, Florida with the MacDill Air Force Base Honor Guard providing military honors where he will be laid to rest next to his wife.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Cas, was a great man in every respect. Loving, kind, intelligent, thoughtful, funny, compassionate, skillful, a man of great integrity and honor. He was an inspiration to me and I imagine anyone who knew him. I feel very lucky to know and love him and I’m so very sad for his friends and family who will feel the loss of such a wonderful spirit. May all the good memories of Cas & Payne fill your sorrow with good thoughts.
Uncle Charlie, as we called him, was an example of the perfect gentleman. He lived a very honorable life and held a precious love for his family. I will always hold special memories of he and Aunt Sue in my heart. Rest in peace.
Many fond memories are held of Caz. He married my sister when I was not yet a teenager and was like a big brother, only better. He took me on as a friend, and let me “teach” him what it was like in the South in those days. We fished, played “catch”, roamed the woods, shot at targets, and he was a quick learner. We had many a laugh over the years, and he was ever ready to help me as I grew up: working on my old cars or whatever. He had a full life, and I loved him.
THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE BLESSED ENOUGH TO HAVE TWO EXTREMELY EXQUISITE WONDERFUL MEN THEY CAN CALL “FATHER.” I WAS
ONE OF THOSE. HAVING LOST MY BIOLOGICAL FATHER QUITE SUDDENLY IN FEBRUARY OF 1981, I WAS BLESSED WITH A FATHER-IN-LAW WHO I LOVED
VERY DEEPLY AND WHO CAME TO FILL A GREAT HOLE IN MY HEART, AS WELL AS ALL THE THINGS ONLY A FATHER CAN DO, FOR ALMOST 36 YEARS. MY
“PAPA CAS” WILL BE WITH ME FOREVER AND EVER, IN MORE WAYS THAN I CAN BEGIN TO FIND WORDS FOR. HOW VERY GREATLY I LOVED AND ADMIRED
HIM.
I will always cherish the drawing of John Muir that Caz gave to me five years ago. He was a kind and generous soul, like yourself. You are fortunate to have known him so deeply.