Joseph J. Yurcak

Joseph J. Yurcak, 92, of Southington, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the Hospital of Central CT, New Britain Campus.  He was the loving husband of the late Lorraine M. (Zemchak) Yurcak for over 60 years.

Joseph was born on July 28, 1930 in Southington to the late Andrew and Caroline (Bacinsky) Yurcak. He graduated from Lincoln Lewis High School in 1950, where as a pole vaulter, he started the track and field program and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Drum and Bugle Corp. He went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, where he played the trumpet in the 2^nd Marine Airwing Band. 

Joe worked at Calvanese Nursery and Evergreen Nursery for 16 years before becoming the Superintendent of Parks for the Town of Southington in 1967. In 1975, Joe became the Superintendent of Highways, dedicating over 30 years to the Town of Southington before his retirement in 1995.

Joe was an extraordinarily generous and remarkably creative man. He had a sharp sense of humor and you always knew where you stood with him. Private in his faith and nonjudgmental, he was filled with pride in his hometown and humbly left his mark across many places we enjoy today. From building ball fields, pools, and landscaping the local parks, to bringing seedlings from the Original Charter Oak tree in Hartford that still grace Southington’s town green today. In the winter, Joe transformed town ponds into ice rinks, and even made his own Zamboni. His commitment and dedication to making our community better for the greater good of all residents was second to none. If pride was his fuel, Joe’s tank was never empty. He led by example.  Joseph was a talented woodworking craftsman and lived by the philosophy, “Anyone can go out and buy one. Not everyone can make one.” After retirement, he became a self-taught whiz in the kitchen, preparing delicious meals for family and friends. Joe loved playing golf with the Southington Golf League that was originally started by his brothers, Andy and George. He was an expert skier and played hockey into his early sixties.  He was an avid Boston Bruins fan, a longtime member of the Connecticut Association of State Highway Officials, American Legion Kiltonic Post 72, the Plantsville Valley Skiers, and a congregant of St. Aloysius Church.

Joseph is survived by his daughters: Cherylann Stewart and her husband Lyle of Marengo, IA and Karen Veltri and her husband Nicholas of Southington, 6 grandchildren: Nicole Veltri of Milford, Danielle Siegel (Ross) of West Hartford, Mitchell Veltri of Menlo Park, CA, Lauren Kay Coburn (Andrew) of Iowa City, IA, James Stewart (Miranda) of Blairstown, IA and Zachary Stewart (Harley) of Des Moines, IA, as well as 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, John (Betty) of Nashua, NH, his sister-in-law, Marion of Chesterfield, MO, and many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his wife Lorraine, Joe was predeceased by his son, Michael, grandson, Joseph J. Neptin, three brothers, Stephen, Andrew, and George, and three sisters, Madeline, Mary Landor, and Margaret Gernat.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106, (https://give.connecticutchildrens.org/).

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St, Plantsville with an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St, Plantsville. To join the services virtually, please follow this link (https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1951047452/)  Burial with military honors will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the Plantsville Funeral Home.  For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.