They called him Corky.
He was a tough old firefighter. A dedicated civil servant. A friend.
Anatol “Corky” Bobrowski — a volunteer Seymour firefighter for more than 50 years — died Monday at Griffin Hospital. He was 90.
No one could remember where Bobrowski got the nickname “Corky,” but his friends and family members recalled his dedication to Seymour, his sense of humor and his friendship Tuesday, as word of his death spread through the Valley.
“He was active right to the end,” said Tom Eighmie, the town’s emergency services director. “There are still a couple of the old guys left. It’s dedication.”
Bobrowski drove the fire truck for Great Hill Hose Co. right up until he was 85, friends said.
As Bobrowski got up in age, he stayed active with the fire department — even if it wasn’t fighting fires.
When fire alarms sounded, Bobrowski went to the firehouse on Great Hill Road and waited for the volunteers to return, said Great Hill Capt. Dan Zaniewski.
“Even the past few years, he’d come to the firehouse after every alarm and sit in the watch station and wait for them to come back,” Zaniewski said. “He’d talk to them when they got back.”
“He would do whatever you asked, he was always around, and always there to help out,” Zaniewski said. “It’s hard to find guys like Corky who will commit to an organization for that long.”
Bobrowski’s call response was the highest among drivers for several years, Eighmie said.
The firefighters called him “governor” of the hill.
Bobrowski was a popular man. In November, when the firehouse held a surprise 90th birthday party for him, about 100 people attended.
Bobrowski was a native of Oxford, where his parents had operated a farm. He worked as an electrician for Anaconda American Brass, before retiring in 1982.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and served during WWII.
Friend Stephen Chuchta Jr. said Bobrowski’s death came as a shock.
“I can’t believe it, he was never sick or anything,” Chuchta said.
First Selectman Paul Roy said he will acknowledge Bobrowski’s life and service to the community during the next Board of Selectmen meeting.
Roy remembered Bobrowski as a pleasure to be around.
“I’m gonna miss him, he was terrific. He had a sense of humor, very personable,” Roy said.
Arrangements
Bobrowski will be buried with full military honors at Pine Grove Cemetery in Ansonia.
His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Church of the Good Shepherd on Mountain Road in Seymour.
Calling hours are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hull Funeral Home at 161 West Church Street.
