Joseph James Kalasky

Joseph James Kalasky, 97, a longtime resident of Newington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Born on June 14, 1928, in New Britain, he was the son of the late Joseph James and Alice (Zenzelette) Kalasky. He was the beloved husband of Palma "Polly" (Pascal) Kalasky for 55 years until her passing.
His grandfather purchased land in Newington in 1922. His father built their family home there in 1940. He was a graduate of Newington High School, Class of 1946. Joe was an Air Raid Warden in Newington during World War II. He played softball with the Elm Hill Tigers of Newington from the late 1940's to 1949. Joe joined the Newington Fire Department in 1949 and retired in 1995, climbing the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain of Station 2. He was appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners to Deputy Chief of the department in 1963 and again to the Chief of the Department in 1975 for 20 years, serving a total of 46 years.
Joe loved to travel with his wife Polly, who predeceased him on October 3. 2006. Their travel took them to many countries, islands and through most of the United States. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends on many golf courses and enjoyed playing in golf tournaments. His first day of golf was on Highland Links Golf Course on Cape Cod in the early 1960's, where his family vacationed with close friends for years.
The most important part of his life was his family. His wife Polly, his son and his wife, Joseph and Natalie Kalasky, his daughter and her husband, Janice and Elliot Cyr, grandchildren, Courtney Comporesi and her husband Joe, Wesley Cyr and his wife Julie, and great grandchildren, Gavin, Emma, Peyton and Avery. He also leaves nieces and nephews, and his other family, the Newington Volunteer Fire Department, the best in CT.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, January 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest after the service in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington.
Memorial donations may be made to the Newington Veterans Fire Fighters Association, 617 Maple Hill Ave., Newington, CT 06111 or the Newington Volunteer Fire Department, 1485 Main St., Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory or condolence, please visit us at www.duksa.net.