John L. “Jack” Hungaski, Sr., age 65, of Norwalk, died Thursday, July 27, 2006, at the Norwalk Hospital. He was the husband of Judy Donnelly Hungaski. Jack was born in Norwalk February 20, 1941, son of the late Steven and Margaret Sakal Hungaski and has lived here all of his life. He was a graduate of Norwalk High School, Class of 1959 and served in the National Guard.

Jack had a love for music, and played in several local bands as a teenager. Later, he played tenor saxophone along with his twin brother, Jim in “The Orchids”, one of the most famous bands to come out of Norwalk in that era. They performed in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and later became the house band at the Canada Lounge in Mamaroneck, New York, and had a loyal local following. Jack was a licensed electrician with I.B.E.W. Local 208, and enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow electricians and other tradesmen. He was an avid gardener and a great cook.

In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by three children, John L. “Jack” Hungaski, Jr. and his wife Elsa of Norwalk, Jill A. Nazario of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Lauren Mascali of Norwalk; his twin brother James Hungaski of Brookfield, a sister Shirley Barta of Norwalk, 4 grandchildren, Louis and John Perez, Naomi Elissa Nazario and Ever Hungaski; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 31, 11 AM at St. Philip Church, 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk with burial to follow at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk. The family will receive friends at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk on Sunday from 3-6 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to: Project Return, 124 North Compo Road, Westport, CT 06880.

We also found out at the same time that Don Jordan, a very fine bass player and singer for the Orchids for many years passed away over a year ago. If anyone has more information on this, we'd really appreciate receiving it. Don deserves a place on these pages as well.

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