Vujs, Rev. Joseph Edward

Reverend Joseph Vujs passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord with his loved ones at his side on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. He was born in Hartford, CT on September 28, 1929 to Joseph J. Vujs and Helen Hajdasz Vujs and raised in Newington by his father and Charlotte Shiembob Vujs after his mother's death.

Father Joe, as everyone called him, was a man of deep spirituality. He lived his faith with unfailing kindness and gentleness, a keen sense of justice, and devotion to lifelong learning. He was valedictorian of his high school class, and attended Wesleyan University with the intention of becoming a medical doctor. While there he was called to the priesthood, attended St. Mary's in Baltimore, MD, and was ordained a priest on May 25, 1957. He later received a Doctor of Ministry from Hartford Seminary in 1987.

Father Joe first served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Washington Depot after which he ministered in several other parishes, including St. John of the Cross in Middlebury, St. Claire in East Haven, and St. James in Manchester. He was named Pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Britain, CT where he found his calling to help those most in need and address issues of social justice. He then served at St. Rose of Lima Church, Meriden, CT as a member of the Collaborative Ministry Team. His last parish was St. Bernard's in Enfield. In his retirement years, he continued his ministry by celebrating the Eucharist wherever he was needed and providing the sacraments to patients at Midstate Medical Center in Meriden, CT.

Father Joe leaves behind two brothers, Reverend Robert Vujs and Gary Vujs, and a sister and brother-inlaw, Nabil and Denise V. Eltouny. He was predeceased by his brother, Ronald Vujs. He will be sorely missed by his family and special friends, who were like family to him: Joan Blais, the Bottones and the Yiznitskys. Special thanks to his cousin, Virginia, who generously helped care for him in his final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Father Nadolny Good News Fund, Inc., 14 Hawley St., Newington, CT 06111. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, May 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair on Tuesday, May 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Annunciation Parish, 626 Willard Ave. in Newington. He will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery in Newington directly following the Mass. To share a memory with his family, please visit us at www.duksa. net.