Joseph Charles Vecchiarino, III, PhD.

Joseph Charles Vecchiarino, III, PhD., beloved son of Sunnie Vecchiarino, passed away peacefully, Friday, February 2, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Joseph fought a courageous five-year battle with stage four, dreadful, cancer.  His perseverance through years of treatment was astounding.

Joseph was born in Danbury on June 24, 1952 to Eugenia E. “Sunnie” Lewis Vecchiarino and the late Joseph C. Vecchiarino, Jr.  Joseph graduated from Avon Old Farms School, The University of Miami and Yale University.

Joseph loved sports.  He excelled in swimming and skiing.  He enjoyed tennis and he claimed he played a passable game of golf, sometimes playing the entire 18 holes with one club, his favorite one!

Joseph was extremely civic minded and worked in many organizations.  He was a member of the Yale Club, MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), MENSA, Class Agent for Avon Old Farms School, Candlewood East Marina Yacht Club and The Greens Farms Church Art Gallery. He was also a former member of the Ridgewood Country Club, the Danbury Rotary Club and The United Way of Litchfield County.

Joseph was a highly dedicated detail-oriented professional with an exceptional aptitude for history and many history related projects.  He worked closely with his favorite history professor, Dr. Herbert Janick, Jr., on the Danbury Preservation Trust.  He loved and was extremely proud of the historical connection to his Connecticut Yankee ancestors, which includes four Connecticut Governors.  Joseph was a long-standing member of The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Connecticut.  He enjoyed the meetings and being able to exchange stories with the other members.

Joseph was a dedicated family man.  He loved his “Group” as he called them and enjoyed his many vacations as a member of the “Group” to Florida, Cape Cod and anywhere else they decided to go.  To quote his mother, “They were times of so much joy – but so little time.”  His love for world wide travels led him to his favorite locations: Japan, Hong Kong and Hawaii.

Beyond his numerous activities, he found time to indulge in his love of art.  He was an avid artist which included portraits of his beloved dogs, many needlepoint pillows, belts and extraordinary gifts he presented to his family and friends.

Joseph will be sorely missed by his devoted family, his Avonian classmates, and the numerous groups of friends he made in his world-wide travels, all of whom loved him.

In addition to his mother, Sunnie, Joseph is survived by his beautiful sister Wendy L. Vecchiarino- Pandolfi, who stepped in and worked over and beyond the call of duty helping to care for her brother.  Joseph is also survived by Wendy’s husband Sal, his much-loved niece Samantha T. Pandolfi-Bedard, her husband Robert, and his wonderful nephew Parker Troy Pandolfi.  Troy was by his side throughout his difficult ordeal with love, compassion and empathy.  Joseph was also able to enjoy the newest member of the family, his great nephew, the super adorable Landen Bryce Bedard. 

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Praxair Cancer Center at the Danbury Hospital, Oncology Unit, The Western Connecticut Home Care Team and Regional Hospice.  They all cared for Joseph with affection and understanding.  Thank you all so much!!

In honor of Joseph’s wishes, there will be no calling hours.  He would like you to remember him with kindness, love and humor. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 11:30 AM at the Greens Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport, CT.  The Reverend Jeffrey Rider will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joseph’s name to the Praxair Cancer Center, Danbury Hospital, or the Greens Farms Church Art Gallery.

Although our hearts are broken we will always have our memories and our love for Joseph that we will never lose.

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