Joseph N. Kupau Jr.

Joseph N. Kupau Jr., of West Suffield, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

Joseph was the beloved husband of Georganne (Hemingway) Kupau. He was born on Nov. 22, 1931, in Hana, Maui, Hawaii, son of the late Joseph N. Sr. and Agnes (Momoa) Kupau. He resided there until enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving during the Korean War. Upon returning, he resided in Enfield for many years and then moved to West Suffield. Joseph was a police officer in Enfield for many years and retired from the Department of Correction as a supervising captain after 31 years of service (1957-1988) most of that time at Somers Maximum Security and started in Wethersfield. Joseph designed the Enfield town seal, which was officially adopted in January 1963. He was an artist specializing in calligraphy, landscape paintings, and religious paintings. He was also an exceptional guitarist specializing in Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar.

He was a longtime parishioner of St. Martha Church in Enfield. Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 50, Enfield, and the Rev. William P. Kilcoyne Fourth Degree Assembly serving for many years as the faithful comptroller and a member of the Color Guard. Joseph always had compassion for others, and dedicated his life to public service. A very loving and caring father, he will be deeply missed by his family. Words cannot adequately express the pain and sadness his loss has brought to his family, but he is at peace now, and for that we are grateful.

Besides his wife, Joseph is survived by his children, Joseph N. Kupau III of North Windham, Nalani Briggs of St. Augustine, Fla., Leinaala Kupau, and Laurie Kupau both of Maiden, N.C.; a step-daughter, Suzanne Prince of San Francisco, Calif.; his cherished grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, and Jamie Briggs and Raymond LeBlanc; step-grandchildren, Jinda F., Jason R., Daniel W. IV, and Justin Prince, and Jessica E. Bucholz. He is also survived by his siblings, Theresa, John, Francis, Mary, Anna, Valentine, Fabian, and Cecilia. Joseph was predeceased by stepchildren, Douglas W. Prince and Daniel W. Prince III; and his siblings, Leonard, Samuel, Emily, and Agnes.

Relatives and friends may gather with his family on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield.

The funeral procession will form at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, at the funeral home to St. Martha Church for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will take place in the Hazardville Cemetery in Enfield.

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

For online condolences and more information go to

www.brownefuneralchapels.com