Obituary of William F. Schlenk Sr.

William F. Schlenk Sr., age 91, of Shelton, entered into eternal life with his loving family by his side on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at his residence. Born in Bridgeport, on March 2, 1930, he was a son of the late Sebastian and Elsie Herb Schlenk, and was a US Army Korean War veteran. Bill was a member of the Fairfield Prep Class of 1947 and received his bachelor's degree from Fairfield University in 1952. Bill enjoyed a long career working as a weight and attributes engineering manager at Sikorsky Aircraft and was instrumental in the Black Hawk and Presidential helicopter development until his retirement in 1992. Bill was very proud that at the age of 82, he was again hired by Sikorsky as a consultant for 18 months. He was a proud member and past officer and honoree of the Trinacria Society. Bill was an active and longtime parishioner of Holy Rosary Church, and received the Saint Augustine Medal of Service in recognition of his faithful service to the Bridgeport Diocese. Bill was a past member of the Board of Directors of UNICO and served the Bridgeport Chapter in several positions including president. He was also a past president of the Italian Graduate Scholarship Committee.

Survivors include his six children, Natalie Saviano of Shelton and William, Jr. (Laura) of Milford, James Schlenk (Karen) of Stratford, Barbara Zewe (Sam) of Texas, Len Schlenk of Bridgeport, and Susan Smith (Bill) of New Hampshire, two step sons Joseph Fiorini (Jessica) of Newtown and Nicholas Fiorini of Ansonia, a brother, Robert Schlenk (Janice) of the Villages, FL, eleven grandchildren, Evan and William Saviano, Amanda Rossi, Rachel Schlenk, Devon Grigsby, Matthew Schlenk, Alisha LaDore (Tom), Nicole and Erika Schlenk, Dee and Dylan Smith, three step grandchildren Katie, Molly and Nick Fiorini and 10 great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Natalie Battista Schlenk (his "Stardust") and second wife, Dorothy Malatesta Fiorini Schlenk, and son-in-law Anthony Saviano.

A walk-through visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Visitors are asked to wear masks and social distance as they walk through, pay their respects, and exit without lingering to ensure all guests can come through the building.

Friends are invited to meet directly at St. Margaret Shrine, 2205 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.