Alfred Paliwoda ’72 (CLAS)

Alfred (“Al”) Hans Paliwoda, 74, of Avon, Connecticut passed away at home on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Al is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Mary Paliwoda, his caring daughter, Allison Csoka, and his cherished granddaughter, Ilona Csoka. Alfred was the son of the late Jan and Helen Paliwoda. He was also predeceased by his beloved son, United States Army Captain Eric Thomas Paliwoda in 2004.

Al was born in a village in West Germany and immigrated to the United States at age 5 with his parents. They settled in New Britain, CT within a tight-knit Polish community. Growing up in New Britain, Al attended the former Sacred Heart School and New Britain High School. While at New Britain High, he met his mentor and coach Irv Black. Al displayed an outstanding aptitude for throwing events in track and field (hammer, shot put, & 28 lb. weight) and competed at the national level while in high school. His athletic achievements lead him to the University of Connecticut’s Division I team. At UConn, Al was a three-time NCAA All-American in the Hammer throw, 1972 UConn Senior Athlete of the Year, and held multiple collegiate records under the direction of coach Bob Kennedy. He was selected and attended the 1971 Olympic Training Camp for field events. After his 1972 college graduation, Al continued throwing with the New York Athletic Club; he won the Open Division of the Hammer throw at both the Melrose Games and the Penn Relays in 1974 and 1975. In 2006, he was inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame. Al’s hard work and perseverance in athletics served him well during his professional career. During his life, he was a successful commercial real estate broker and owner of multiple business endeavors. He earned his M.B.A. with a concentration in finance after the birth of his children. His honesty and integrity were visible in all his personal and professional relationships. Al was a coach of his son’s youth basketball teams and privately coached collegiate throwing athletes when his children were in high school. Even greater than his athletic achievements, UConn brought Al his soulmate, Mary. They fell in love as sophomores at UConn and were married before the start of their senior year. The strength of their love and commitment to each other carried them through both the beautiful and sorrowful times in life.

Al was a wonderful man who held his family at the center of his world. His children and grandchild gave him great pride and filled his life with color. He enjoyed reading books of intrigue, action and mystery movies, watching men’s and women’s basketball (his favorite UConn Huskies), photography, being by the ocean, long walks in the fresh air, the autumn season, and traveling. Al and Mary traveled extensively over the years; among his favorites of their travels included Bermuda, Newport, RI, Chatham, MA, the National Parks of the West, and Sedona, AZ. His family and friends will forever keep Al’s kind spirit, steadfast determination, and protective love in their hearts. Al’s family would like to thank Dr. James Vredenburgh, Dr. David Grew, and the wonderful caregivers at Smilow Yale Cancer Center at St. Francis Hospital for their compassionate care over the last year.