Joanne Puglisi Grabek

Joanne Puglisi Grabek of Haddam passed away on Friday October 16, 2026 at the age of 92. She was born on July 18, 1934, in Hartford, CT where she grew up, attended school and lived until 1970. She lived in Haddam, CT from 1970 to 1984. She also lived many years in Deep River and Portland, CT.

She graduated from Bulkeley High School, class of 1952 and Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. Joanne worked as a Registered Nurse for nearly 40 years at Hartford Hospital.

Joanne served as the Registrar of Voters in the Town of Deep River, CT. where she and her husband, Bob, lived for over 25 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, Robert Grabek, her parents, Joseph and Anna Puglisi, her sister Leila Puglisi, her brother John Puglisi, her sister Angela Smith and brother-in-law Alan Smith.

She is survived by 4 children and their spouses, Anita and John Kostacopoulos of Middletown CT; Stephen and Sharon (Halleck) of St. Charles, IL; Paul and Stephanie (Rathke) of Cromwell, CT; and Brian and Amy (Becker) of Albany NY.

She was a devoted grandmother to her 10 grandchildren Catherine Grabek Evans, Cara Kostacopoulos, Christina Grabek Liszka, Emily Grabek Snyder, Diana Kostacopoulos, Kristen Kostacopoulos Lundell, Robert Grabek, Emma Grabek Dickinson, Jack Grabek, and Nick Grabek.

She was also a loving great-grandmother to her 8 great-grandchildren: Henry and Elliott Evans, Lizzy and Rocco Snyder, Harper and Luka Lundell, Kinnison Grabek, and Sarah Joanne Dickinson.

She is also survived by her cousins; James Cavanaugh, Michael Laraia, Marianne McKinnon, Mark Laraia, Richard Laraia, and Anthony Puglisi as well as many nieces and nephews.

She loved gardening, listening to all types of music, especially Opera and early rock & roll music. She especially enjoyed spending time watching her children and grandchildren play sports and was a fixture at their games throughout her lifetime. Joanne was happiest whenever she was on the beach, especially during her many years vacationing at Chapman Beach in Westbrook CT, Cape Cod, and Sanibel Island, FL, where she and Bob spent several weeks every year since the mid-1980s.

Joanne was deeply proud of her Italian heritage and cherished spending time with her extended family at the countless family dinners at her parents’ home and the homes she and Bob shared in Hartford, Haddam and Deep River.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Commonwealth Senior Living in Haddam and The Chestelm Retirement Home for the care and compassion they showed Joanne during the past few years of her life.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 48 Middlesex Avenue, Chester CT on Saturday October 31st at 11:00 AM. Visitation with the family will begin at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St. Centerbrook CT from 9:30 -10:30 AM

Interment to follow at Fountain Hill Cemetery, Hill St. in Deep River, CT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joanne’s honor to Middlesex Health Hospice website - Middlesexhealth.org

There will be a celebration of Joanne’s life for family and friends at a later date.