John W. Kaukas

John W Kaukas, 95, formerly of Milford and Orange, passed away at Middlesex Hospital on September 7, 2025. Born on November 20, 1929 in Waterbury CT, he was the son of the late John W. Kaukas and Viola White Kaukas.

John is survived by his son John W. Kaukas and his wife Susan, daughter Debbie Gordon and her husband Larry, along with five grandsons, James (Kaitlin), Sean (Jackalyn), John, Brian (Erin), Alex and great-grandson Calvin. He was predeceased by his most beloved wife of 56 years Jennie Romano Kaukas, his son Robert D. Kaukas and his son-in-law James McGuigan.

John attended St. Mary's Grammar School and Leavenworth High School. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from The University of CT. He worked for Olin Corp, Winchester/Western Division and U.S. Repeating Arms for 42 years serving in various supervisory and managerial positions. His last assignment was V.P. of Special Projects for the design and construction of a new arms facility and location of equipment and personnel as well as dealing with demolition of the old building and its environmental problems.

John was an instructor of celestial navigation for the U.S. Power Squadron for many years. Boating and Fishing with family and friends was a joy to him in places like Alaska, northern Quebec, the Gulf of Maine, the Caribbean, and Cape Cod. During his children's teens the family took a month-long vacation visiting many of the national parks including Yosemite and Yellowstone, Big Sur, going to the Pacific and back via the Grand Canyon and Badlands. He had many hobbies over the years including; gardening, antique clock repair, tying flies for fly fishing, home repair and many more.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11am at St. Mary Church 70 Gulf St., Milford, CT (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Burial will follow at Orange Center Cemetery, Orange Center Rd., Orange, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.