Joseph B. Kerel

Joseph B. Kerel, 90, of Newington, passed away Saturday (December 24, 2022) at home. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Joseph and Julia Kerelejza, he lived in Newington since 1963. He was a warm and devoted family man, a loving, thoughtful husband and father, who always offered wise counsel and reliable advice whenever we needed it. Joe was a kind, supportive and reliable friend to all who knew him. A graduate of Yale University in 1957, he also served in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Hospital during the Korean War. After graduation, he joined the Sales Department of Mead Johnson Company/American Hospital Supply in sales and lived in Rochester, NY. He returned to Connecticut in 1960 and worked briefly for General Scientific before joining the Purdue Frederick Company of New York and Norwalk. He later received his MBA from the University of Hartford in 1969. Joe was Director of Sales Training at the Purdue Frederick Company, where he worked for over 30 years, retiring in 1998. An active member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in New Britain, he served as a Sub-Deacon of the church, was a former Treasurer of the church council, and sang in the church choir. A talented musician, he played piano all of his life, had a wonderful voice, and enjoyed singing in various choral groups, most notably, the Gerald Dargis Chorale. Joe was an avid sports enthusiast, he was a lifelong, die-hard Yankees fan, starting out listening to them on the radio by the time he was eight; and, in football season, greatly enjoyed heading down to the Yale Bowl to watch the games. He was absolutely thrilled when Yale won the Ivy League Title this November! Joe enjoyed traveling (including many cruises) with his wife, Dorothy, both here and abroad, and he especially enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota, Florida. The Hawaiian Islands were also a favorite place of his and they traveled there several times. He also loved snorkeling in Key West, Florida and the Caribbean. Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years Dorothy (Perelom), his son, Christopher Kerel, his daughter, Alisa Kerel and a sister, Dr. Joan Kerelejza. Calling hours will be held Thursday morning, December 29, 2022, from 9 to 10 AM at St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 54 Winter Street, New Britain, CT 06051, followed by a Funeral Service at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, is assisting with arrangements. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at http://www.carlsonfuneralhome.com Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, USO.Org PO Box 96860 Washington DC 20077-7677, or to a charity of your choice.

Joseph B. Kerel

September 7, 1932 - December 24, 2022

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Joseph B. Kerel

September 7, 1932 - December 24, 2022

365 Days of Grief Support

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