Joseph Kmec Sr.

Joseph Kmec Sr.
With great sadness, we announce that Joseph Kmec, 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was called Home to the Lord on January 31, 2026, surrounded by his devoted family. Joe was born in Komarov, Czechoslovakia, on August 2, 1936, to the late John and Krystyna Kmec. He married his childhood neighbor and sweetheart, Anna, on November 13, 1955, and they had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past year. After immigrating to the United States in 1957, Joe and Anna settled in Stratford, where they were lifelong residents. Joe enjoyed a successful 41-year career at Country Home Bakers, retiring as a manager in 1998. A true lover of nature, Joe was an avid gardener, who cultivated the most beautiful vegetable gardens, flowering trees, and bushes. He especially loved birds and took great pride in caring for them, maintaining countless birdhouses and feeding them year-round. As an animal lover, Joe always made sure to have a treat ready for all his neighborhood four-legged friends. He also enjoyed saltwater fishing and pheasant hunting and was previously a member of the Mohegan Rod and Gun Club. A man of great faith, Joe was a devout lifelong parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church and a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. Joe was blessed with extraordinary, lifelong friends, many of whom had also immigrated from Czechoslovakia, but above all, he cherished his family immensely. In addition to his beloved wife, Joe will be unbearably missed by his children, Mary (Edward) Kriz of Milford, Anna (Vincent) Mata of Monroe, Dorothy (Mike) Sewell of Shelton, and Joe (Raven) Kmec of Stratford; grandchildren: Eddie (Christy) Kriz, John (Amanda) Kriz, Rob (Tiffany) Kriz, Vincent Mata, Jacqueline (Nick) Gurecki, Brian (Kelsey) Sewell, Kristen (Christopher) Pawlowski, Magee (Vinny) Szeligowski, Jana (Jacob) Butkus, and Evan (Anna) Kmec; great-grandchildren: Emily, Jordyn, Eddie, Anya, Eva, Gavin, Nathan, Emma, Kayla, Nicholas, and Katie; sister, Anna (Lou) Leszczynski of Trumbull; sister-in-law, Stella Kmec of Stratford; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his precious grandson, Kevin Sewell; and brothers, John and George. The greatest and most treasured gift of Joe's lifetime was the privilege of being called Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. He adored them, and they loved him beyond words. He will forever live in the hearts of all who knew him. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Avenue, Stratford, where A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main Street, Stratford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Avenue, Stratford, CT 06615, or to to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105 ( www.stjude.org ). To celebrate his life, please visit us at www.galellofuneralhome.com .