Joseph F. Chlupsa Obituary
Joseph F. Chlupsa, 92, of Manchester, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Manchester Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Son of the late Joseph and Tillie (Pansky) Chlupsa, Joseph was born on May 4, 1932, in Manhattan, New York.
Joseph graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, New York City in 1950 and then from State University of New York, earning an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952.
Joseph was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954, attached to the Heavy Mortar Company 23 Infantry Regiment and attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Upon his return from overseas active-duty Joseph earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from City College of New York in 1958. Moving to Connecticut, Joseph earned his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hartford campus. He was employed by United Technologies for 33 years, working with their fuel cell projects.
Joseph married the love of his life, Joanne Chlupsa (Belanger) in 1968 and together they shared 52 years of marriage before Joanne’s passing in 2020.
Growing up on City Island, New York around its sailing activity, Joseph owned a Thistle and then Luders 16 sailboats. He then owned an Ostkust 24 and finally a Morgan 25 on which he introduced his family to sailing on southeastern Connecticut coastal waters.
Through a Connecticut ski club, Joseph learned to downhill ski and brought his family skiing at Killington Mountain in Vermont for many years.
Joseph also taught himself woodcarving, metal etching and windsurfing.
Joseph is survived by his children, son Thomas J. Chlupsa of Hebron, daughter and son-in-law Laura M. and Andrew M. Boris and his grandson, Adam Boris of Wappingers Falls, New York. He also leaves his brother John E. Chlupsa of New London.
The family expresses their gratitude to the staff of The Residence at South Windsor Farms, especially Tammie Szedlaczek and Wendi Shea, for their care of Joseph during his final year.
Relatives and friends are invited to the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St. in Manchester on Wednesday, May 22 for a visitation from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by the burial at St. Bridget Cemetery with Military Honors.
Please consider a donation in Joseph’s memory to support Mystic Seaport Museum’s Schooner BRILLIANT Equipment Fund (checks should be made out to Mystic Seaport Museum with “BRILLIANT Equipment fund” in the memo and mailed to Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355), to support the museum’s tall ship sail training.
