IN MEMORIAM: Wayne Pokorny ‘67

The Rev. Dr. Wayne D. Pokorny, Class of 1967, of Hartford, CT, died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 aged 83. Born in Oak Park, IL, son of Frank and Anna (Jarolimek) Pokorny, he was raised in the Chicago area. Throughout the years, he lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, South Carolina, Wisconsin, before finally retiring to Connecticut. In his retirement, he became an active and dedicated member of Grace Episcopal Church in Hartford.

Pokorny was a proud alumnus of Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. He attended seminary at General and received his Doctorate in Divinity from the General Theological Foundation in Indiana. He spent several years as the minister at St. John’s by the Sea in West Haven, CT, and was active in Youth Ministry at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT. He ultimately retired from the VA Hospital in Tomah, WI where he was Chief of Chaplain Services.

An avid patron of the arts, he particularly loved live theater and music, especially opera. He would frequently attend three to four performances over a single weekend. Away from the stagelights, he was a voracious reader of history, and books filled his home. As a reserved man, he thought an obituary was an unnecessary step, but his children have done one anyway.

A devoted father and grandfather, Pokorny leaves three children, Stephen Pokorny and his wife Suzanna Loeb of Providence, RI, Michael Pokorny of Rockville, MD, and Sarah Pokorny of Menlo Park, CA; and his grandchildren Rhea, Eliza, and Marina Pokorny. He also leaves his brother-in-law William Kunke of Culebra, Puerto Rico. He was pre-deceased by his sister Carole Kunke.

His funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 55 New Park Ave., Hartford. He was laid to rest in the church’s memorial garden.