Jozef Kotas

Jozef Kotas, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Southbury on May 6, 2026. Born in Poland to Piotr and Zofia Kotas, Jozef spent his early years in extraordinary circumstances. Along with his mother and brothers, Walter and Zygmunt, he survived being held as a Polish refugee in a Russian camp in Siberia during World War II. After the war, he continued his education in England, attending both elementary and high school there.

Jozef eventually made his way to the United States, where he built a long career as a diamond setter and polisher for a New York jewelry company. He appreciated the simple joys of life: classic films, long drives, fishing, watching soccer, and visiting the Catskill Mountains. He also loved a good meal and cherished time spent with family.

He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Walter and Zygmunt. Jozef leaves behind his devoted wife of 61 years, Eva (Stempniak) Kotas, and his two sons, Andrew and Teddy Kotas. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as their Dzia Dzia, as well as by his nieces and nephews, who will remember him fondly as Uncle Joe.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

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