Father Joseph G. M. Kurnath

LAKEVILLE - Rev. Joseph G. M. Kurnath, senior priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, passed away peacefully at the age of 71 on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Father Joe was born on May 21, 1954 in Waterbury, CT. He attended kindergarten through high school in Bristol, CT.

After graduating in 1972 he moved to Hartford, CT and after working many temporary jobs, in 1977, he began employment as an office assistant at the law firm of Robinson and Cole. He remained there until 1984 when he began studies at Saint Mary Seminary & University in Baltimore, MD.

Father Joe was ordained on September 9, 1991 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford by Most. Rev. Peter Rosazza, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Hartford. Father Joe served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary, Newington; St. Mathew, Forestville; Saints Peter and Paul, Wallingford; Chaplain St. Mary Hospital, Waterbury; Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony, Bristol; then finally as Administrator and then Pastor of St. Mary, Lakeville for 13 years.

Father Joe was always proud of his Slovak roots and enjoyed celebrating the Christmas Eve "Vilija" or vigil supper.

In addition to earning a B.A., S.T.B. and M.A. from Saint Mary's Seminary, he also received a M.A. in scripture from the Hartford Seminary.

Preaching and doing pastor work were his favorite parts of ministry. Father Joe loved people, working with the youth and seeing each person at church, gathering together in imperfection in closeness with God as the Perfect Mystery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 15, 2025 at 4PM St. Mary's Church, 76 Sharon Road in Lakeville, CT by the Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford.

He is survived by all his members of the Church in which he considered his family.

You are never alone � God is right beside you.