Joseph Thomas Gumkowski

Joseph Thomas Gumkowski, 88, of East Hartford, loving husband for over 61 years of Evelyn (Stanek) Gumkowski, passed away peacefully to join our Lord on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, with his caring wife by his side at his home.

Born in Hartford on Jan. 24, 1927, a son of the late Stanley and Rose (Maksimczyk) Gumkowski, he had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 55 years. Joseph was a graduate of Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by ChandlerEvans in West Hartford for 38 years, retiring as supervisor, Materials Laboratory. A devout Catholic, Joseph was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford, and a former member of the church Retirees Club. He was a member of the Luna Social Club and liked fly-fishing, golfing, and listening to classical music. Most of all, Joseph was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved being around his family.

Along with his beloved wife, Evelyn, Joseph is survived by two sons, Mark Gumkowski and his wife, Linda, of Middletown; John Gumkowski, of Vernon; a daughter, Mary Crowell and her husband, Bruce, of Woodstock; three cherished grandchildren, Jennifer Gumkowski and Julie Gumkowski, both of Vernon, and Gray Storm Crowell, of Woodstock; and two step-grandchildren, Lisa Taylor and her husband, Mark, of East Haddam, and Joseph Malone, of Pensacola, Florida. He also leaves a sister, Theresa Bogun and her husband, Edward, of West Hartford; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by four brothers, Charles Gumkowski, of Newington, Edward Gumkowski and Frank Gumkowski, both of Enfield, and Otto Gumkowski, of Hartford.

The family wishes to thank Katie at Masonicare hospice services and Mark at the Veterans Administration their sensitive care and compassionate support.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, Oct. 7, with a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, May Road, East Hartford (everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Wednesday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at Veteran's Memorial Field, 2-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford.

Relatives and friends may call at D'Esopo -East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford, Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joseph's name may be made to a favorite charity of the donor's choice.

For online condolences, visit

www.desopo.com