Obituary: Joseph D. Bakstis

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Joseph D. Bakstis
Joseph D. Bakstis

NAUGATUCK — Joseph D. Bakstis, 74, of Naugatuck, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 at Saint Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Diane (Long) Bakstis.

Joe Bakstis “Pops” was born in Hartford on March 1, 1939, son of the late Joseph H. and Helen (Zaleski) Bakstis. He was a longtime resident of Naugatuck. However, he also enjoyed spending time at his home in Cape Cod. He retired from American Electro Products after 14 years of service as well as from Anaconda/American Brass after 14 years of service. He was co-chairman of the Inland Wetlands Commission for the Borough of Naugatuck. He was an active volunteer with Scouting. He was a master craftsman at woodworking, and he was an active communicant of St. Anthony’s Church. Family was paramount in his life.

Besides his wife of 53 years he leaves his son, Mark Bakstis and his wife Bernice of Naugatuck; two daughters, Lori St. Germain and her husband Marcel St. Germain, Jr. of Oakville, Noelle Bakstis and her husband Roger Farina, Jr. of Waterbury; his sister, Joyce Machado of Oakland, Ore.; eight grandchildren, Ralph, Marcel, Josh, Adam, Ashley, Seth, Benjamin, and Stephanie; six great-grandchildren; a niece and two nephews, and his beloved dog Daisy. He was predeceased by his grandson, Vinny.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect. Friends are asked to meet directly at the church at 10:45 a.m. Calling hours will be held at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorial contributions be made to Animals for Life, Inc., 2 Service Road, Middlebury, CT 06762.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.