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Joseph Kulaga Obituary
Joey Kulaga, age 14, of Fairfield, beloved son of Dr's Mark and Ellen Kulaga, and cherished brother of Sarah and Grace Kulaga, passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident Tuesday, December 29, 2015 in Virginia. Born in Norwalk, Joey graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas Grammar School and was currently in his freshman year at Fairfield Prep where he was a member of the Crew Team. Joey loved sports, especially baseball. He was a talented pitcher and known for his calm demeanor under pressure while on the mound. His teammates would often refer to him as having "ice in his veins" while he pitched, making him a formidable opponent. He played Fairfield American Little League and for the Fairfield Rage. Joey was an avid New York Yankee and Giants fan. He was an altar server at St. Thomas Church where he loved serving Mass. Joey was a deep thinker, was thoughtful and kind and chose "Kindness" over "coolness". He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, classmates, teammates and friends whose lives he touched. Survivors in addition to his parents and sisters include grandmothers, Margaret Doane of Kennebunk, ME and Jane Kulaga of Spring Lake, NJ; an uncle, Tod Doane and his wife Leandra of Mathews, VA; two aunts, Jo-Anne Harrell and her husband Jerome of Norfolk, VA and Patrice Ventura and her husband Paul of Spring Lake Heights, NJ; and several cousins. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, Kenneth Doane and Edward Kulaga. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Tuesday from 3-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 or to Fairfield American Little League, 857 Post Road, Box 361, Fairfield, CT 06824. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Kulaga
Jack and Sara Littlefield
December 28, 2023
Dr's Mark and Ellen, We remember Joey as Freshman at FP and member of Crew Team as Jack was in the same boat. We watched Boys in the Boat yesterday and definitely know the boys rowed as one. May Joey's kindness continue to inspire those young men to be kind and Men For Other's as Joey was a true Man for Others. God Bless you always, Sara and Jack Littlefield
Sara & Jack Littlefield
December 28, 2022
As members of the Fairfield Prep community and Joey's 8 boat, we carry Joey in our hearts and his loving spirit carries us through the years. We keep Joey's parents Mark and Ellen and his sisters Sarah and Grace in our prayers.
A Prayerful Friend
December 27, 2022
I'm so very sorry for the loss of this young man. I didn't have the opportunity to know Joey, but I was there the day he died and he has stuck with me to this day. I think of him every year as the anniversary approaches and I say a prayer for Joey and his family. May he rest in eternal peace and may his family find comfort in the memories they have of him. God bless
Maria Hemmings
January 28, 2016
To the Kulaga family, my deepest sympathy to you all at this very difficult time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Boys in the Boat
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
FP Jesuit Thunder
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Passing the Girls
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Rowing on 8
Sara Littlefield
January 28, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Christine Lyons
January 27, 2016
Brenda Urbina
January 20, 2016
Dear Mark and Ellen, just heard about the tragic loss of your son Joey. There are no words that can suppress your sorrow. You and your family are in my prayers. My deepest sympathy and condolences. May God be with you to provide the strength you need. With love, Brenda
January 15, 2016
Dear Mark, Ellen, Sarah and Gracie, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Joey. May the Lord be with you in every moment to carry you through this difficult time. Love always from Kerrie, Dave, Jessica, Jacob, Kayla and Danielle Shrewsbury
Evana Valenzuela
January 10, 2016
My deepest condolences to the Kulaga family, you are on my prayers. May God provide the strength you need.
Sarika and Danny Sekhon
January 8, 2016
Dear Mark, Ellen, Sarah and Grace
We pray that you all will find inner strength and peace during this difficult time in your lives.
With heavy hearts we send you and your families our deepest condolences.
Fairfield Prep Crew
January 8, 2016
Christos Stefanou
January 7, 2016
Dear Mark and Elen Kulaga; and dear little Sarah;
May God give peace and love to his wonderful and lovely soul. Please keep faithful. My deepest sympathy and prayers to you.
Marsha Purington
January 7, 2016
Ellen, Mark, Sarah and Grace. I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine the pain that you're in. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Zayd Razouki
January 6, 2016
To the Kulaga family,
We will keep you in our prayers. We will pray for strength and patience to face this great loss. Joey's memory will always be alive in your hearts and the heart of all the people who were blessed to know you.
January 6, 2016
From a fellow parent at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School...I did not know Joey or your family but you have been on my mind since hearing about Joey. I am so deeply sorry for your loss, one that can't be imagined. Know there are more prayers coming your way to help give your the strength to get through not only this difficult time but until you are reunited with Joey again.
Tammy Maye
January 6, 2016
My prayers go out to your family
Anna Boron
January 6, 2016
Dear Kulaga family,
I imagine there is no deeper pain than loosing a child; my heart and prayers go out to you at this difficult time
Greg Puglisi
January 6, 2016
Dear Mark and Ellen,
So sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Deb Ornstein
January 6, 2016
Dear Mark & Ellen,
My heart breaks over the loss of your beautiful & talented boy. My deepest sympathy and thoughts are with you.
Frank Drescher
January 6, 2016
Dear Kulaga family,
We always felt blessed to meet your wonderful and amazing family during your visits to New Hampshire.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during these difficult times.
Monic, Yumi and Frank Drescher
Kristin Canty
January 6, 2016
To the Kulaga's,
So sorry for your loss, my condolences to you and your family.
Kristin Canty
January 6, 2016
Mark & Ellen Kulaga,
So sorry for your loss, sending my condolences to you and your family!
Donna Blewitt
January 5, 2016
Dearest family members,
As others have written who do not know you, I too feel compelled to express my deepest sympathy to you. I've been a member of St. Thomas for most of my life and have served on the altar with your son over the years.
Words do fall short when trying to convey how sad I am for your loss. You are and will continue to be in my prayers.
Rondi Frey
January 5, 2016
My deepest sympathy to Mark and Ellen on the loss of your son. Prayers are with each of you during this difficult time.
Breakfast with Santa 2010-St. Thomas
Pamela Sendzik
January 5, 2016
Dear Ellen, Mark, Sarah & Grace,
We are so extremely saddened by your loss. Your pain is unimaginable, but we hope you can feel comfort knowing that you are surrounded by the support of an amazing community of friends and family to console in. Our hearts go out to you and your family during this tragic time, and you will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. Joey will never be forgotten, because he was the kindest, but to us also the coolest. He will be greatly missed by his St. Thomas Class of 2015, and his special time spent with Julia studying in the library or at Starbucks, and of course our special same day birthday bond that Julia reminded of every September. Remember, you are an amazing family which is what made Joey the most wonderful and amazing boy that he was. Stay strong by embracing the love you have for one another and please know that we are here to help in any way. May God Bless you and your family today, forever and always.
With our deepest sympathy,
The Sendzik Family (Pam, Greg, Brittany, Connor & Julia)
sashanna mcgrowder
January 5, 2016
Dear Kulaga family my family's thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone one of you at this time. Our condolences to your family.
Tony Smith
January 5, 2016
you will be missed joey i am very grateful i got to know you RIP buddy.
Bus 33
Tony Smith
January 5, 2016
My prayers are with the family of joey. I had the honor of driving joey to and from school his 7th grade year. He was an amazing kid,he had a big heart he was always well behaved on my bus. RIP joey
Bus 33
January 5, 2016
Our heartfelt sympathy to your entire family. There are no words to express the sadness and horror we feel for the loss of your beautiful son. May God Bless all of you as your grieve.
Love, The Eckel Family
Wall, Nj
Jesenia Perez
January 4, 2016
Ellen and Mark Kulaga; Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
January 4, 2016
I didn't know your beloved Joey but I want to express my deepest sympathy. Prayers up, blessings down.
January 4, 2016
Our deepest sympathies. Please know your family is loved.
All of " The Blue Jays" and all of the coach J's
"Pistol" Joey Kulaga and teammates 2012
Spagna Family
January 4, 2016
Dear Mark, Ellen, Sarah, and Grace- your son and brother was such a special person. Thoughtful, kind, curious, fun, and caring. We loved to get him to laugh. We loved to hear him explain things to us. He was wise beyond his years. We loved to watch him pitch. He was a wonderful teammate and a true friend to everyone who was lucky enough to know him. We loved Joey. We love the Kulaga Family and our thoughts are with you always.
Linda and Rob O'Connor
January 4, 2016
Dear Mark and Ellen
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Hicks
January 4, 2016
I pray the peace our faith promises will be with you during this transition. Nancy Hicks, Sarge's mother.
Bill Jeffries
January 4, 2016
Dear Mark and Ellen, please accept my deepest sympathy for this heartbreaking loss. I am praying for the repose of your son and well-being of your family.
January 4, 2016
Dear Mark,Ellen,Sarah and Grace. We are so sorry for your loss.We are thinking of you and praying for you all. With deep sympathy,Natallia and Vladimir Abramovich
Rich Lee
January 4, 2016
Absolutely crushing loss for Fairfield and our Wakeman community and all those in Joey's life. An incredible young man.
Love you Joey
Natallia Abramovich
January 4, 2016
My prayers and thoughts with you ...
Tina Bencze
January 4, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the Kulaga during this time.
Bhavish Aubeelauck
January 4, 2016
We will miss you. My thoughts and prayer are with you.
-- Bhavish and family
Lina Laboy
January 4, 2016
Dear Kulaga family
My deepest sympathies! Sending you all prayers for strength
FP Alum
January 4, 2016
May god bless your family
Priya Sharma
January 4, 2016
Dear Kulaga Family - my heart goes out to you all and I want to express my deepest sympathy and condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Aunt Laura Fielding
January 3, 2016
Mark, Ellen, Sarah and Grace, I am so sorry for all the pain and grief you are going through. Hold on to all of your precious memories of Joey. My thoughts and prayers are with you. If there's anything I can do, anytime, please let me know. Love to all of you.
Pam, Greg, Jake, Trevor and Mac Berry
January 3, 2016
Dear Ellen, Mark, Sarah and Grace,
Our son, Mac, rowed crew at Prep with Joey. Although they knew each other for only a short time, Joey will forever be a part of our lives. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you in these difficult times. Our prayers are with you now and forever.
Diego Valencia
January 3, 2016
Words are never adequate in moments like these. We will say though, that our hearts go out to you and our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this sad time.
Kellie Hooper-Bressler
January 3, 2016
Dear Ellen and family,
I am so sorry and deeply saddened to learn of your loss. I know we have not seen each other for years, but my fondness and friendship remain intact. May God hold you all in the palm of his hand as you endure this tremendous loss.
Barbara Griffiths
January 3, 2016
There is no word to describe my feelings! Am saddened, and my heart breaks, and the tears flow! Condolences to the family of this awesome young man! May God grant the family strength and put your hearts at peace knowing that he is the one that wanted his angel back in heaven! I don't know the boys but his dad works at the place I work!
Sara Littlefield
January 2, 2016
Dear Mark, Ellen, Sarah & Grace,
Our deepest sympathy to your entire family on the loss of your son and brother Joey. He was a kind, charismatic young man and Jack was blessed to have rowed with Joey for Fairfield Prep. You are all in our prayers.
Marybeth Darcy
January 2, 2016
Dear Kulaga Family,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you at this unimaginably difficult time. Joey's light and love continue to shine in each one of you.
January 2, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family. I did not know Joseph but as a parent my heart is saddened by the devastating news. My prayers are with your family.
Edward Feldheim
January 2, 2016
Dear Kulaga Family
Please may we offer our deepest heart felt sympathy across the miles. When our son Ed told us of your loss although we did not know your son Joseph my wife and I felt as though he was one of our own.Our words are so feeble and so please know that you all will be in our thoughts and prayers.God bless and may He bring you some comfort. Sincerely Ed & Pat Feldheim
January 1, 2016
Dear Ellen, Mark, Sarah and Grace, I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you and praying for you all. With deep sympathy, Paula Maxwell
Davis Williams
January 1, 2016
Dear Ellen Mark Sarah and Grace,
There are no words I can say to make the pain any less, just know that I have each of you in my heart and I am praying for you to get you through. Your friend always, Davis
Davis Williams
January 1, 2016
Dear Ellen Mark Sarah and Grace,
There are no words I can say to make the pain any less, just know that I have each of you in my heart and I am praying for you to get you through. Your friend always, Davis
The Staff of Spear-Miller Funeral Home
January 2, 2016
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
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