Joseph T. Kasper Jr.
Joseph T. Kasper Jr., age 90, of Stratford, passed away Monday, December 18, 2023. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Patricia.
Born on December 15, 1933, in Bridgeport, he was the son of the late Joseph and Julia Flanagan Kasper. Joe graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1952, attended the University of Notre Dame, then graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Joe was a proud member of Alpha Gamma Rho, where he served as President and found lasting friendships.
Joe returned to Bridgeport to work with his father and start his surveying and Engineering career. This is when he met Pat on a blind date and they were married in 1958.
With his Engineering/ Architectural firm, Kasper Group, his many projects contributed to the City of Bridgeport and many communities. These included, Sacred Heart University, Harbor Yard baseball stadium, Bridgeport Aquaculture School and many office buildings and complexes. He loved to create - quote from his Prep yearbook, “Enjoyed solving the Mysteries of Mathematics!”
Joe and Pat had an active social life and loved being part of the community. They were part of the Barnum Festival since the 1970s, chairing Caribbean Night events and then Joe had the honor of serving as the 1989 Ringmaster. Over the years, they were members of The Algonquin Club, Brooklawn Country Club and the Pequonnock Yacht Club.
Joe served in the National Guard, was Police Commissioner for the Town of Trumbull, Board of Trustee for Lauralton Hall, St. Patrick’s Scholarship committee and involved in state and local politics.
Joe was a long time member of the YMCA. He and his running buddies ran the 1977 NYC Marathon, Joe finished his marathon at Maxwell’s Plum on 1st
Avenue and 64th Street.
Most of all, Joe and Pat cherished being with their family, spending time in their Quechee, Vermont, home, skiing and celebrating many New Year’s Eves. Christmas Eves were always important, summer weekends with the family at their home enjoying the pool, as well as many family trips to Delray Beach, Block Island and Europe, which left the family with cherished memories.
Joe is survived by his loving daughters, Mary Beth Rapice, Susan Riccio and Nancy Kasper, and his grandchildren, Joseph Rapice (Brielle), Annette Rapice (Killian) and Katie Riccio (Spencer) and Victor Riccio, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Jane Zehnder (Bill), David Kasper (Gert) and Mary Alice Amend (Art). Funeral services will be held Friday, at 12 noon, meeting directly at Our Lady of Peace Church, 651 Stratford Road, Stratford, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call Thursday, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., at the Redgate - Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The Thomas Merton Center, 1406 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605. To send condolences, visit www.redgatehennessy.com .