Joseph Wettlaufer

Waterford — Joseph Wettlaufer, 73, of Waterford, entered eternal life on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in the company of his loving family.

He was born Aug. 12, 1945, in Queens, N.Y., the son of the late William and Julia (MacKechnie) Wettlaufer. Joseph was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He served with the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry also known as the “Fighting Gypsy.” He was awarded the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged.

Joseph was a lifelong sports enthusiast. In his youth, he excelled in basketball, baseball and bowling. As an adult, Joseph became an avid tennis player and fan. In 1985, he met his soulmate and future wife, playing tennis at the Juniper Park tennis courts.

He was united in marriage to the former Trish Cosenza, on May 28, 1986, in New York. In the following years, Joseph and Patricia welcomed two children, Melanie and Joseph Nicholas. Joseph was a loving father who cared deeply for his family. He worked at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for 15 years before retiring.

In his retirement, he enjoyed spending more time with his family, taking daily walks and relaxing in his backyard with the family dogs. He never missed watching a tennis match or his favorite sports teams, the New York Giants and New York Mets.

Joseph’s kind heart, sense of humor, story-telling skills and unique sense of style created instant connections with people. He was loved by so many and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Wettlaufer; two children, Melanie Wettlaufer of Mystic and Joseph N. Wettlaufer of Waterford; three sisters, Mary Zero, Barbara Lamparter, Jane Womack-Negron and their spouses; as well as his many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Anna Cosenza, and her three children.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 27, followed by a prayer service at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Military honors will be rendered at the funeral home. A lunch reception will be held in his honor following the services from 1 to 3 p.m., at the New London Holiday Inn, 35 Governor Winthrop Boulevard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.