Joseph Julius Gadomski

Joseph Julius Gadomski, 83, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 15, 2025. Joe was the beloved husband of Joanne Chlebica (Joni) who have been married for 37 years. Born in New Britain on March 19, 1942, Joe was the eldest son of Julius and Anna (Dzikot) Gadomski. He grew up in New Britain, graduated from E.C. Goodwin Technical High School and then spent most of his career as a general construction worker/truck driver and heavy equipment operator. Back in the day you could find Joe at race car tracks cheering on his favorite modified drivers, several of whom were his very close friends. After long days at the track, the last stop was a late-night snack at the "O.D." in Newington. Joe loved playing the drums. He cherished his metallic blue drum set and on weekends enjoyed playing favorite polkas with various local bands or even being called up as a special guest. If not sitting behind his drum set, you could find him and Joni dancing the night away at countless polka events throughout the northeast, Maryland, Chicago or Cleveland, just to name a few. Joe also frequently visited the New England Air Museum of which he was an avid supporter. Even with ongoing health issues, Joe never lost his quirky sense of humor. A recent instance: a hospital staff member visited his room and asked "Joseph, what brings you here to the hospital?". The response: "an ambulance". Joe was very proud of his upbringing and Polish heritage, which could be witnessed by the waving of Polish and American flags, support of Polish American Clubs, and the huge amount of polka-themed t-shirts in his closet that he always wore. Besides his wife, Joe is survived by his two daughters and son-in-law, Janet, Karen and Ed, his brother Steve, and many cousins. The family thanks the medical personnel in the E-1 wing at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, Hartford Healthcare Hospice, and New Britain EMTs, for their recent care. A special heartfelt thank you to the caregivers from the Polish Caregivers and Homemakers agency for the exceptional care provided throughout this year. Funeral rites will be held at 9:00am on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at the Shaker-Hill Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at Holy Cross Church in New Britain. Final resting will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burritt Street. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the Shaker-Hill Funeral Home, from 5:00-7:00pm. To share a memory of Joseph or to express condolences to the Gadomski Family, please visit www.shakerfuneralhome.com.