Philip John Czaplicki

Philip Czaplicki died Sunday morning, July 12, 2026 at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam.

Philip was born June 10, 1945 in Bristol and raised in Terryville, where he lived for most of his life. He graduated from Terryville High 1963 where among other feats he was chosen class mischief maker. It was a fitting title since he was a great lover of comedy, had a ready, acerbic wit, and spoke fondly of childhood roughhousing on Pinky’s Pond off Allen Street and by the Terryville Tunnel.

After graduating Becker Junior College in 1965 and Suffolk University in 1968, Philip was married with a young son and began a long career as an auditor at various firms, particularly Colonial Bank, City Trust, and CIT Group. He returned to Terryville following his divorce in 1976 and lived there until moving into long-term care in Putnam late in 2021. During these years he was a long-standing member of BPOE Lodge #265 in Waterbury.

Nothing was more important to Philip than his children. He devoted his resources to them, mostly supported their pursuits, offered safe harbor, worried about them, and gave advice freely. He was a sports fan and took them to see the Whalers, Red Sox (Boston, Bristol, and New Britain), and Nighthawks. He loved fishing with them on Quincy Bay and a handful of favorite Litchfield County lakes his father had taken him as a boy. And if fishing wasn’t on the agenda, they were likely visiting Newburyport, Newport, or some other coastal town to boat watch. He also made an effort to expand their world through memorable trips to the Big E, New York City, Northern Maine, Vermont, Niagara Falls, and Florida. Although reduced mobility ruled out the same adventures with his grandchildren, he was devoted to them and did what he could to help them get off to a good start in life. He was a complicated character who is missed so much.

Outside of family, Philip was a highly private person who largely kept to himself and tended to his cars, yard, and radio programs. But he and his family appreciate the many years of support from his good neighbors Henry Lizotte and Danny & Marianne Slevinsky. We’re also thankful for Ernie Leclair, whose willingness to bend a few bus rules enabled Philip to stay in his home for a few extra years, and the excellent staff at Matulaitis Nursing Home and Day Kimball Hospital.

Philip is survived by his sons Philip and Michael (Laura), his beloved grandchildren Freya and Sylvan, his sister Virginia (Tony) and nephews Chris and Pete, and his cousin Richard Turek. He was predeceased by his aunt and uncle Cecelia and Michael Turek, and his parents John and Jennie Czaplicki.

The service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 20, at Scott Funeral Home, 169 Main Street, Terryville, followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Friends may call at the funeral home a half-hour before the service.

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