Vernon Obituary: Joseph Verdon, 74

Joseph Michael Verdon, 74, of Vernon, passed away on June 24, 2016 at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Joe was born on July 4th, 1941, son of the late Jim and Ann (Delahunty) Verdon.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Margaret Rose (Furey) Verdon; his children Mary Lynn and Doug Kolowsky, Joey Verdon and Leslie Liu, and Carolyn and Mike Fusaro; his grandchildren Kevin, Andrew, Kyle, Tyler, Michael, Zach, Amelia, Tommy, Cate, and Mike; and many friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom he loved and who loved him dearly.

Joe attended parochial schools in the Bronx, graduating first in his high school class of 1959 and winning academic awards for General Excellence, Mathematics, and Science. He received a BS in Naval Architecture from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture in 1963 and a PhD in Engineering Science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967. Joe taught Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut from 1968 to 1972 and spent two summers as a Faculty Fellow at NASA's Langley Research Center. From 1972 to 1999, Joe conducted research on turbomachinery aerodynamics at the United Technologies Research Center. Joe was a pioneer in the fields of supersonic unsteady flows in fan rotors and linearized unsteady aerodynamics. He authored numerous articles, lectured extensively in the US and overseas, and was a mentor to many colleagues in his field.

Joe loved sports, both playing and coaching. In high school, he was a talented baseball and basketball player. In college, Joe started on the basketball team all four years, could dunk a basketball at 5' 11", and set the college's career scoring record, a record that lasted many years. After his retirement, Joe joined the Vernon Senior Softball league, where he played for seven years and served as both a coach and as league commissioner. Joe also coached boys' and girls' baseball/softball and basketball when his children were growing up and practiced with all of his grandchildren.

Joe tutored children in reading as part of the Vernon Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Joe had a gift for connecting with and influencing kids because of his childlike joy and passion and his unassuming manner. Joe was a good friend, and enjoyed being with friends and family. His annual July 4th birthday party was not to be missed, both for the company of his wife Margaret, his family, and the wonderful group of friends they enjoyed and the entertaining and vigorous discussions that he was sure to instigate. Joe was larger than life -- a brilliant mathematician and public speaker; a gifted athlete; and a beloved husband, Father, Grandfather, coach, and friend. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

His family will receive friends for memorial calling hours on Friday, July 1, 2016 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 7 p.m.

His family has requested in lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made in his memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P. O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.