David Michael Cekala, 73, husband of the late Carol Mary Borkowski, died October 20, 2022 at Yale New Haven Hospital after a challenging battle with Leukemia.

Dave was born in Middletown, the son of the late Joseph and Celia (Drega) Cekala. He lived in the Rockfall area and graduated from Xavier High School in 1967. He received his Associate's Degree in Applied Science from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1969. Dave served in the US Army and was deployed to Korea. He was employed at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft where he worked as a Senior Analyst and Calibration Technician before his retirement after more than forty years of service.

Dave was an avid hunter, fisherman, beekeeper, farmer and baker. He always had a smile and a story to share with his friends and neighbors. He was devoted to his canine companions, Cookie and Sugar, and very grateful to their caregivers, Nancy Klick and Janet Micciulla.

Dave is survived by his stepdaughters, Michelle Spencer (David) of Terryville and Nicole Colapietro of Harwinton, and step-grandchildren, Mickey, Adam, Jonna and Jillie. He also leaves behind his extended family which includes Rose Klick of Middletown, Connie Drega of Rockfall, Francis Drega (Elizabeth) of Rockfall, Joanne Curtis of Coventry, Doris Tolles (Roger) of Southington, Jim Klick (Judy) of Florida, Pamela Bennett of New Hampshire, Diane Mendez (Luis) of Middletown, Gail Price (Dave) of Farmington, and John Drega (Joanne) of Florida.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown.  Friends and relatives may visit with Dave's family and celebrate his life on Sunday from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.  Burial in Calvary Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family.

Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs ( https://portal.ct.gov/DVA/Donations/Veterans-Donation-Form ) or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ( https://www.lls.org/ways-to-give ).