Joseph A. Stevens

Mr. Joseph A. Stevens, 97, of Torrington, passed away peacefully Aug. 22, 2017 at Waterbury Hospital with family by his side.  He was the widower of Mildred (Root) Stevens and Dorothy (Atkin) Stevens.

Joe was born June 1, 1920, in Waterbury, son of the late John L. and Viola (Minor) Stevens.

He served proudly in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII, stationed in France and England. Joe was a longtime resident of Bethlehem where he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept. He graduated from the University of Connecticut.  Joe was a retired engineer from Northeast Utilities after 31 years of service.

Dad was a self-described swamp Yankee and Bethlehem farm boy.  He loved to reminisce about growing up in Bethlehem.  All of us who were in his company for any length of time were treated to stories like when at five years old he took off across the fields following the dogs, and the whole town ended up looking for him.  Then there were the many stories about the mischief he and cousin Teddy Traub got up to in their teenaged years.  He told us about the long car trips to Beaver College in Pennsylvania when he was courting our mother.  He shared stories about Army life with many of us.  We thought we had heard them all until we heard a new one about a year ago about being strafed by a German plane.

Though not a demonstrative man by nature we always knew he loved us and had our backs, most often with the addition of a bit of advice or a lecture whether you wanted it or not!

Rest in peace Dad, you’ve earned it.  He is survived by his children, Bette Stevens, of Malden, Ma., Jeffrey Stevens and his wife Marian of Torrington; grandchildren, Joseph Stevens and his wife Angela of Clinton, Ma., Samantha Stevens of North Kingstown, R.I.; great-granddaughters, Olivia, Hailey, and Hannah Stevens.

He was predeceased by his son, John Stevens, sisters, Helen Clyma and Elsie Pack.

He is also survived by step-daughter Gret Atkin, step-granddaughter, Jennifer Kwiatkowski, brother-in-law, Allan Root and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank VITAS Healthcare and the staff at Waterbury Hospital for their gentle, caring, kind compassion given to Dad. A special thank-you to Chaplain Michael Lynn for the much needed and appreciated hugs.

Memorial remembrances for anyone who wishes may be sent to VITAS, 199 Park Road Extension, Suite 102, Middlebury, CT 06762

Graveside services in Bethlehem Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. Munson Lovetere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. 

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