Attorney Joseph E. Horzepa Obituary

#MIDDLEBURY #WATERTOWN

Joseph E. Horzepa, 82, of Watertown died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. He was born Aug. 3, 1934, in Waterbury, Conn., a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Perdal) Horzepa. He grew up in Waterbury and graduated from Wilby High School.

After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force as a reconnaissance photographer, Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut, where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1963 and was admitted to the Connecticut State Bar. Shortly after his graduation, he married Caroline Sebastian and they lived in Watertown, Conn., for the past 50 years.

Joseph was a senior vice president and trust officer at Colonial Bank until 1980, when he began a private law practice in Watertown. Throughout his law career he remained active in several civic organizations, including the Watertown Foundation; Central Naugatuck Valley Help, formerly known as Drug Help; and the Watertown Democratic Town Committee. A lifelong Red Sox fan, he also was an avid runner and chef and enjoyed photography in his spare time. Joe was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church

Joseph is survived by his wife, Caroline Horzepa, and children, Christina Horzepa and her spouse, Gary Dearborn, of North Salem, N.Y.; Stephanie V. Horzepa, of Winsted, Conn.; Joseph Horzepa and his spouse, Juliana Zaraza, of Houston, Texas; and Caroline Morse and her spouse, Jason Morse, of Naugatuck. His grandchildren are Victoria and Aidan Dearborn and Evelyn and Eloise Morse.

He leaves a sister, Stephanie M. Horzepa of Waterbury, Conn., and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Anthony, Stanley and Walter Horzepa and his sisters Nellie Horzepa and Julia Searfoss.

Calling hours will be Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home at 240 N. Main St. in Naugatuck followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church at 100 East Farm St. in Waterbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s name to Central Naugatuck Valley Help c/o Roberta Murtagh, executive director, 203-756-8984, ext. 103; the Watertown Foundation, P.O. Box 117, Watertown, CT 06795-0117; or St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury, 34 Willow St., P.O. Box 1612, Waterbury, CT 06721. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.