Joseph L. Mehan

Joseph L. Mehan, 85, of New Britain, the husband of Rosalie Wrobel Mehan died January 29, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born May 9, 1922, in New Britain, to the late Thomas and Sophie Matyn Michon. He attended local schools. He served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines and Japan as a First Sergeant during WWII. Upon his discharge, he owned and operated Mehan's Driving School in New Britain. Before his retirement in 1981, Joe worked as a Tool Maker for Fafnir Bearing Company in New Britain. He was active in St. Mary Church in New Britain, where he served as President of the Holy Name Society and later served on the Parish Council. He organized the annual parish carnival for a number of years. He also constructed both the meeting room and library at the former St. Mary School. In more recent years he and his wife were members of the Social Ministry and helped run the weekly bingo games at the church. Joe was an avid golfer and spent much time on the greens with his lifelong friend, Joe Zebrowski. He also loved to paint and listen to music of all kinds. He is survived by three children; a son, Joseph and his wife Claire of Wethersfield, a son Thomas of East Granby, and a daughter Barbara Kidwell and her husband Roger of Plainville. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Donna Norris and her husband Shawn of Bristol, Michael Mehan and his wife Suzanna of Burlington, Adam Mehan and his wife Christina of Broad Brook, Rebecca Mehan, and Kate Mehan, both of Astoria, NY, Peter Kidwell and his wife Heather of Plantsville, and Ruth Jarusinsky and her husband Jeff of Plainville. He also leaves eight great-grandchildren; Vanessa Mehan of Bristol, Jacob Given of Bristol, Ryne and Rhyanna Mehan of Newington, Ian Kidwell of Plantsville, Alan Keutmann of Bristol, Kevin Keutmann and his wife Carolyn of Bristol, and Samantha Keutmann and her fiancé Joseph Halt of Bristol. Additionally, he also leaves three great-great-grandchildren, Annabella Halt, Penelope Keutmann, and Walter Keutmann, all of Bristol. He leaves a niece Marge Grzybowski and her husband Richard of Southington and a nephew Robert Rice and his wife Jacqueline of Barnegat, NJ. He also leaves a brother-in-law John Wrobel of Berlin, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two sisters; Antoinette Rice of Clifton, NJ and Anna Wanko of Southington. Joe's family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at VNA and Hospice. His funeral services will be held Friday, 9:30 a.m. from the Burritt Hill Funeral Home, 332 Burritt St., New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30a.m. at St. Mary's Church, New Britain. Interment, with military honors, will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. Relatives and friends are invited to call TODAY from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Burritt Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VNA/Hospice of Central CT, 56 West Main St., Plainville, CT 06062 To share a memory with the family, please visit us at www.burritthill.com