Obituary: Joseph S. Patoka Sr., 95, of Middlebury

Joseph S. Patoka Sr. 95, of Middlebury, loving husband of Carmella (Manganello) Patoka, died Saturday, March 24, 2012, in his home, surrounded by his family.

Patoka was born March 4, 1917 in Duryea, Pa., son of the late Stephen and Rose Patoka. He resided in Middlebury most of his life.

Patoka was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. He was a heavy machine gunner securing air fields with the 691st Airborne in the Middle-Eastern Theater of Operations, deployed to Casablanca, Africa then to Sicily and Palermo, Italy.

Patoka owned and operated Royal Truck Lubrication Service for more than 30 years. He then worked for several years at Bozzuto’s Inc. of Cheshire before his retirement.

A devout Catholic, Patoka was a faithful communicant of and a member of the VFW Oakville Post 7330. He enjoyed gardening, working on his cars, watching his favorite baseball team, the New York Mets and traveling with his wife.

Patoka always enjoyed spending time with his family. He will be remembered for being a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Along with his wife, Patoka is survived by a son, Joseph S. Patoka Jr. and his wife, Lucianne of Glastonbury; a son-in-law, Carlos Puga of Marina Del Rey, Calif.; a sister, Josephine Bruhn of Scranton, Pa.; grandchildren, Joseph S. Patoka III and his wife, Wendy of San Francisco, Calif.; John A. Patoka and his wife Caitlin of West Hartford; Janelle Patoka Bradway and her husband Dustin of Glastonbury; Joshua Puga of Los Angeles, Calif.; Cassandra Puga and her husband Robert Graney of Pasadena, Calif.; Alisa Keesey and her husband Jon; Dariel Puga; and eight great grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Patoka was predeceased by a daughter, Sandra Puga; three sisters, Helen Patoka, Mary Chiarelli and Stella Gilboy; and two brothers, John Patoka and Stephen Patoka.

Patoka's family would like to give special thanks to the caregivers of Comfort Care at Home, LLC and the nurses of Vitas for their wonderful and compassionate care.

Calling Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Funeral: 9 a.m Thursday, March 29, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home to for a 10 a.m. mass at 10 a.m.

Entombment: Following at Calvary Queen of Peace Mausoleum, Waterbury, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Macular Degeneration Association.