Joseph M. Kuchalla

MERIDEN - Joseph M. Kuchalla, 77, passed away peacefully following a long and courageous battle with heart disease on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 after an extended stay at Hartford Hospital. His loving family was by his side, and were supported by the many nurses, doctors and staff that Joe embraced as family, and whom we all adored and admired for their skill, loving compassion and friendship. Likewise, they loved "their Joe" for his many words of wisdom, his positive will to live and his humor. The memories
shared by Joe, his family and our extended Hartford Hospital family will be fondly recalled with smiles.

Joe was born on May 25, 1934 in Middletown, son of the late Stephen and Josephine (Albano) Kuchalla. He grew up in Middletown, graduated from Middletown High School in 1953, and served in the Naval Reserves for seven years. After marrying the love of his life, Barbara, the couple moved to Meriden and Joe became a Tool Engineer for E.M. Benson Co., of Meriden and later a Sales Manager and Tool Engineer for White Supply of Waterbury and ACA of Branford. He was a member of Elks Lodge 35 in Meriden where he served as trustee.

He attended St. Andrew's Church with his wife and daughters and loved playing golf, going to the beach, and traveling with his wife. Their travels took them to nine European countries, Australia, across the U.S. by car, and on many Caribbean cruises.

In addition to his wife, Barbara (Gershefski) Kuchalla of 54 years, he is survived by his two daughters whom he adored, and their husbands, Christine and Allan Shiller, of Glastonbury and Jodi and Lorne Sullivan, of Punta Gorda, Fla. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren, Ryan Joseph and Rebecca Emily Shiller, who were the lights of his life. He leaves his devoted cousins, Patty and Tom Inglis, of Middletown and Sr. Pauline Semkow, of New Britain. Very special to him were his eight nieces and nephews, Diane Bussolini, Sally and Jon Vanesse, Kim Roraback, Gay and Patrick Mulligan, Jamie and Alison Roraback, Karen and Doug Sweetbaum, Susan and Greg Leicht, Wendy and David Gershefski, Theresa Inglis O'Holloren, Michael and Kim Inglis and Tom Jr. and Kim Inglis. . He was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Kuchalla Jr.; and a granddaughter, Rachael Shiller.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 20 Catlin St., Meriden. The Rev. Dana Campbell will officiate. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, also in Meriden. Relatives and friends may gather at the Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden on Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to St. Andrew's Church, 20 Catlin St., Meriden or to Hartford Hospital's Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, 80 Seymour St, Suite JB 208 Hartford, CT. 06102.