Joseph R. Smolen, 86, of St. Augustine, FL, passed away Friday, October 15th. Born in Unionville, December 20th, 1924, son of the late Joseph K. and Katrina Mary (Mikolajcik) Smolen. Prior to retiring Joe was a Nuclear Physicist for the Oakridge Power Plant, Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Middletown and finally for the EPA with the State of Connecticut. He was a United States Air Force veteran of World War II and the Korean War retiring with the rank of Major after 20 years of service. He is survived by his five children, Faye E. Smolen of Middletown, Joseph W. Smolen of Manhattan Beach, CA, James B. Smolen of Chester, Jeffrey D. Smolen of Torrington and Sara A. Holmes of Belmont, ME, two brothers, Francis E. Smolen of Sebastian, FL and Andrew R. Smolen and his wife Mary R. of Unionville, his sister, Anne S. Kovall of Harwinton and his former wife, Elizabeth (Fay) Smolen of Crystal River, FL. He was predeceased by four sisters, Elizabeth Shearer, Sophie “Sue” Richardson, Catherine Ayers and Julia M. Smolen. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Saturday (Oct. 23) from 8:30-10:00am. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday (Oct. 23) at 10:00am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10:30am. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Bidwell Sq., Unionville, CT 06085.
Burial Memorial Contribution