Newington Obituary: Joseph Hope, 86

On Monday, February 27, 2017, Joseph J. Hope, 86, was called to eternal life at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain.

Born on April 4, 1930, in Hartford, he was the son of the late Raymond W. Hope, Sr. and Helen (Foley) Hope. He served our great nation with pride in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Prior to retirement, he was employed with SNET as a supervisor, giving many years of dedicated service.

Joe, aka "The Wild Colonial Boy" enjoyed golfing, boating, dancing, watching UConn basketball, playing cribbage and the company of his friends and family. He instilled his love of music in his children, especially Irish and Big Band. He was generous and found great joy in helping others. Nothing made him prouder than his children and grandchildren and he never missed the opportunity to tell everyone a short story about them.

Left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife and greatest love of 62 years, Lucy (Maffucci) Hope, who was always by his side, his children Dr. Douglas M. Hope and his wife Cathy of Avon, John P. Hope and his wife Karen of Fountain Hills, AZ, Kathy H. Burns and husband Doug of Rocky Hill, his siblings Raymond W. Hope, Jr. and wife Carmella of Houston, TX, Sr. Jeannie Hope of West Hartford, and Marie Dunn and husband Eugene of Middletown, CT, and 6 grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandson Shawn Hope.

His life and funeral will be celebrated on Saturday, March 4, at 9:00 AM from Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave, Newington, with a 10:00 AM Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church. Rites of Committal will follow the Mass at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill. Relatives and friends are welcome to call for visitation on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Newington Memorial.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Joseph Hope to honor his grandson Shawn Hope, contributions may be directed to the Halo Animal Rescue, www.halorescue.org or to the American Camp Association, www.acacamps.org/donate/send-a-child-camp-fund.