Obituary: Joseph P. Kolodziej, 75; Formerly Of Meriden

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Joseph P. Kolodziej, 75, of New London, formerly of Wallingford, passed away peacefully, Jan. 7, 2022 at Harbor Village in New London.

He was born in Meriden on January 28, 1946, a son of the late Peter J. and Regina (Wichrowski) Kolodziej.

Joe was a 1965 graduate of Maloney High School in Meriden. As an “all-star” end for the Maloney High football team, he continued to play semi-pro football with the Meriden Shamrocks of the New England Football League. He was employed by Unimax Switch Corporation in Wallingford for many years, and was also a co-owner and operator of Tee Jays Café and JAG’s Scoreboard in Wallingford. Besides playing football and baseball, Joe enjoyed fishing on the ocean and spending lots of time on the beach.

He is survived by his son, Joseph D. (Andrea) Kolodziej of Florence, South Carolina; his daughter, Kendra L. Kolodziej of Exeter, New Hampshire; and, his grandchildren, Lillian Kolodziej and Nolan Kolodziej, both of Florence, South Carolina; his sister, Regina Mrozowski of Stuart, Virginia, and his brother, Edward Kolodziej of Westbrook; as well as a niece, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Joe’s family will receive relatives and friends at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be in SS Peter and Paul Cemetery in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory can be made to The Wallingford Wishing Well, 382 N Cherry St Ext, Wallingford, 06492 www.wallingfordwishingwell.org.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.