John L Passander, 79, of Danbury CT died surrounded by his family on August 30, 2023.
Born in Ansonia, CT in 1944 to Albert and Leona Passander, John graduated from Pine H.S. in 1962. After graduation John proudly served in the US Navy, where he received an award for recruiting enlistees.
Upon discharge from the Navy John became a designer/draftsman, long before this type of work moved onto computer. Later on, John was the founder/VP of ATDI, a telecommunication company in New Haven which had product sold thru Radio Shack.
John was a well known grower and breeder of orchids and rare and unusual plants. He was past president of the Connecticut Orchid Society and lifetime member of the New York Orchid Society. He enjoyed giving lectures and workshops on orchids throughout the country, including the Bronx Botanical Gardens and even in the New Czech Republic.
John had a very artistic side especially with flowers and loved to create beautiful wedding bouquets for family and friends, along with arrangements for other special occasions.
Volunteering at the VA garden group in West Haven and also the Newtown Horticulture Club, John spread his passion and enthusiasm to many others. More than anything John loved to give plants to friends or anybody who came to the house. No one left without a plant or two!
In 1969 John and his wife Diane met at the once popular dance club in Brewster NY called The Fore N Aft. The rest is history. Through their more than fifty years of marriage they shared their love of art, music, family vacations in Maine and going to Moody Blues concerts.
John is survived by his wife Diane, son Adam Passander (Marivee), daughter Melinda Passander (Richard), daughter Kimberly Drolet, grandchildren Adam, Jonathan, Chloe and Arianna, brothers George Passander (Fredi), Robert Passander (Dawn), pre deceased by brother Paul Passander, mother-in-law Dorothy Bittorf, predeased by father-in-law Walter Bittorf, lifelong close friend Michael Sforza (Sandi), and several nieces and nephews.
John was a truly unique person as anyone who knew him can agree and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family thanks Danbury Hospital doctors, nurses and aides, especially the Stroke Unit and 8 west, for their care and kindness at a very difficult time. We cannot express our gratitude enough to them all.