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Otto John Sidarweck

Otto John Sidarweck, 73, of Guilford, passed away suddenly on Sept. 6 at his home in Guilford. Otto was born on Dec. 24, 1949, in Bridgeport, to the late Rita and Otto Sidarweck.

He grew up in Bridgeport and attended Bullard Havens High School. One of his first jobs was performing various odd jobs with George Skurja, who just happened to become his father-in-law. He also worked at Grand Union before settling into a career with UPS at the age of 18. He was an incredibly hard worker and always had a strong attitude and high energy.

Otto met his wife, Judy Skurja, when they were both 13. They became close friends and began dating when they were 15 years old. They married on Dec. 6, 1969, at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Bridgeport. After starting a family and living in Stratford for years, they moved to Guilford in July 1986.

Otto loved his family more than anything in the world. He was a big brother, a father figure, a friend, and someone who would do anything for any family member at any time of any day, no matter the circumstances. Not only was he a big brother to his own sisters, but equally a big brother to Judy’s six younger siblings. They all absolutely cherished him. Otto was always there to lend a hand. He also loved the outdoors and keeping busy. He enjoyed spending time on his boat or working on his lawn in the summer and working either in or around his house at any time of the year. There was nothing that he couldn’t fix, to call him “handy” doesn’t give him justice. He was a loving son, uncle, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His grandchildren knew him as Opa. In his later years, Otto formed a beautiful, heartwarming relationship with his beloved great-granddaughter Delilah. They absolutely adored each other.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Anne Thompson, and daughter, Tara Cirillo. Survivors include wife Judy Sidarweck; son Otto “OJ” Sidarweck; daughter Kristina (Mark) Vail; grandchildren Emma, Timothy, and Samantha; and great-granddaughter Delilah, all of Guilford; and sisters Theresa Villegas of Bridgeport, Rose Rodriguez of Milford, Rita Stanislawski of Stratford, and Helen Hubbard of Naugatuck; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; www.stujude.org. Arrangements are in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.