Joseph P. Kaluzynski, 85, of Jensen Beach, FL and of Milford, CT, beloved husband of the late Glenna Kaluzynski, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2017. Joseph was born on February 20, 1932 in Milford, CT to the late Joseph and Alice Kaluzynski.

Joseph is survived by his children, Matthew (Jean), Patricia (Patrick) Rourke, Theresa (Stanley) Bajerski, all of Milford, CT and Joseph (Alex Wearne) of Australia; grandchildren, Tina Titus, Matthew, Jr., Stephanie, Randy Kaluzynski, Kelly, Avery Rourke, Buddy and Brittany Bajerski; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his beloved wife, Joseph was predeceased by his son, Michael and brother, Eugene and his wife Carol.

Joseph had many names, at work he was known as Joe Kal and Big Joe, and at home he was Uncle Joe, Dad and Dzia. Joe graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1950 and Fordham University in 1954. During his college years Joe’s athletic ability spanned to track and field and football. Joe received letters inviting him to tryout with both the Giants and Eagles. While at Fordham he was in the ROTC program and following graduation was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a 1st Lieutenant to fulfill his military obligation.

Joe married the love of his life November 27, 1954 and started their family in Fort Knox with the birth of their first child, Matthew. They returned to Connecticut where Joe started work at Blue Cross in 1957. Through the next several years, Patricia, Michael, Theresa and Joseph were born.

During his business years, Joe was a member of several community organizations. From the early years of the Milford Redevelopment Agency, to the Milford Rotary Club, to the Milford Club, as well as being a board member for the Milford Bank, Joe always was involved in something. Joe was extremely proud of being a member of the Thaddeus Kosciusko Society, serving as Past President as well as Past Financial Secretary. He was a member in good standing up until his death.

Joe retired from Blue Cross in 1992 and so began so many years of RV travel with Glenna. They had several favorite campgrounds that they visited yearly. Flying Point and Bailey’s in Maine were two of these which they would go to with their best friends Sonny and Bill Fogler.

Retirement life led them to sell their house on Maple Street and become “snow birds” in Florida. They made this journey, winters in Florida, summers in Milford, until Glenna passed away in 2013. Joe traveled back and forth to Florida but it would not be the same.

Joe spent the remaining years of his life in Milford, enjoying the company of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. Whether it was watching the NY Giants or watching a grandchild at a sporting event, or making homemade kielbasa, he loved life to the fullest.

Joe’s body may have failed him but his mind stayed with him until the very end. His sharp humor never stopped, even through all of the medical procedures he endured through the last year. Thank you to the fire personnel, emergency responders, EMTs and all the doctors and nurses that helped care for Joe to the very end.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Church, 70 Gulf St., Milford, CT (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Interment with Military Honors will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave., Milford, CT. Friends and family may call on Monday, September 25, 2017 from 4-7 PM at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT. Memorial contributions in Joseph’s name may be made to a charity of choice. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com.