Joseph Francis Dent

Joseph Francis Dent, 92, of Hebron, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.

Born Sept. 10, 1918, in Hartford, he was the last surviving of the six children of the late Herbert and Nellie (Duffy) Dent. A proud World War II veteran having served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in New Guinea, he was honored as Hebron's first Veteran of the Year on Nov. 12. He always had a love of the Old West and horses, which started after reading the Will James book, "Smoky the Cow Horse." He took his rodeo name from this book and was known on the rodeo circuit and to all his friends as "Smoky Joe" Dent. It was through his love for horses that he met his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Brooks Dent at the old Laredo Ranch in Keeny Park in Hartford.

In addition to his beloved wife, Elizabeth, he leaves his daughter Victoria "Tory" MacDonald, her husband, Michael, and their son, Kyle Joseph MacDonald; son-in-law, Edward Morabito of Phoenix, Ariz.; and grandson, Seth Morabito of Santa Clara, Calif. Joseph was predeceased by his daughters, Carol Ann Dent Dreselly, late of Coventry in June of 2004, and Leslee Ann Dent Morabito, late of Trinidad, Calif., in January of 2009. He was also predeceased by his brothers, George, John, and Herbert Dent, and his sisters, Lillian Dent and Helen Duncan.

Smoky used to ride bulls for a living in his younger days and one of the highlights of his life was a trip to the Professional Bull Riders event last year at Mohegan Sun. When his daughter wrote to them to see if they would allow him to get down behind the chutes for his 90th birthday they opened their hearts to him and made him feel like he was family. Everyone he met from Adriano Moraes to Ty Murray and Randy Bernard treated him with the utmost respect and took time out of their very busy schedule to talk with him and listen to what he had to say. He especially enjoyed our host and guide, Jodie Edmonds, and liked to call her his little sweetheart. The family will never forget what they did for him that day! When he came home he looked at us and with tears of joy in his eyes, he said, "Thank you for the best day of my life."

The family would love to give special thanks to all who helped Joe in his final days. Diane Lally for her friendship, faith, and her ability to verbally "spar" and hold her own in conversations with Joe, Visiting Nurse Association East Hospice unit and especially, Kathy Killarney, RN, for helping to make and keep Joe comfortable, and Lend A Hand of Cromwell for sending us Stephen Boadu who treated Joe with the utmost respect and dignity.

Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester. An American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Service will be observed at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Andrew Church, 128 Norwich Ave., Colchester, with the Rev. Michael S. Smith officiating. Committal with full military honors will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Hebron.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to the Hebron Veterans of Foreign Wars or the Rider Relief Resources Inc., 101 W. Riverwalk, Pueblo, CO 81003; please reference "Smoky Joe" Dent.

For online condolences, please visit

www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com