Fairfield Rallies To Help Family Of Baseball Coach Who Died Of Cancer

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 52-year-old Fairfield resident and youth baseball coach was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and the community is rallying to help his family after his death.

Joe Papp died a week ago, according to Steve Bowley, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the Papp family: wife, Julie; daughter, Claire; and son, Graham.

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we must share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend Joe on the evening of June 20, 2023," Bowley wrote. "We are all going to miss Joe’s infectious spirit on this earth, but in his honor, we hope everyone can carry a little piece of that spirit with them and share it with others."

As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe page had raised more than $108,000 toward a goal of $250,000.

Additionally, the effort is also gathering gift cards to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, The Pantry, UberEats and others, to help the Papp family.

"Joe's daughter Claire is a rising Junior at Clemson University, and his son Graham is a rising Sophomore at Fairfield Ludlowe High School," Bowley wrote. "The pride Joe has always shown for both children radiated with every word he has ever spoken about Claire and Graham. Seeing their Dad’s health decline so suddenly has been heartbreaking to say the least."

Joe ran a landscaping company, and Julie is an educator at The Southport School.

"There will be financial burdens facing the Papps, both in the short term with funeral expenses and in the long term with college expenses and simply keeping up with general household expenses without Joe’s income," Bowley wrote. "Thank you so much for considering helping the Papp Family ease the burden of the months and years ahead without Joe."

To view the GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of the late Joe Papp, click here.