Joseph V. Pempek

Joseph V. Pempek, 74, passed into the arms of his Lord surrounded by his loving family on Thanksgiving Day. He had battled a rare neurodegenerative disease for several years. He was born in Putnam on July 2, 1934 to Louise (Lysiak) and Vincent Pempek. He was predeceased by a brother, Adolph. Joe is survived by his wife of 52 years, Louise (Cutler) Pempek; a son, J. Scott and wife Cheryl, and two granddaughters: Kristen and Rebecca. Educated at St. Mary's Elementary School, Joe was graduated from Putnam High in 1952. In 1956, he received his BA from University of Connecticut with majors in political science and history; his MA in Education from Eastern Connecticut State University: and his Sixth Year degree in 1967 in Education Administration.

Joe served in the U.S. Army in France from 1956 to 1959. After teaching in grades 6-8 at the Griswold Elementary for five years, Joe was appointed Principal in 1968. In 1978, he was appointed as Principal at Moosup Elementary School in Plainfield from which he retired in 1994. Upon retirement from his first love, the educational field, Joe pursued another life-long interest, and became a stock broker (registered representative) and worked in the equities field until 2007.

Serving his community was Joe's trademark. He served on the Democratic Town Committee and served 9 years on the Putnam Board of Tax Review, Board of Education for 28 years, 24 of which as its chairman. He was the primary mover for the Putnam Elementary School and later the Family Resource Center. Joe served on the Putnam Bi-centennial Committee in 1976 and on the Putnam Sesquicentennial Committee in 2005. He was a charter member of the Aspinock Historical Society. Member of and past president of the Putnam High School Alumni Association, life member of Connecticut Education Association, a 40 year life member of the Putnam Lodge of Elks, a member of Putnam Rotary Club since 2000, a member of the Connecticut Retired Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa (national education honorary fraternity), alumni member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Calling Hours will be Monday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:30 AM in ST Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam. Burial in ST Mary Cemetery, Putnam.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to CurePSP for CBD Research, Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, MD 21031-9956 or the charity of your choice. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at

www.smithandwalkerfh.com