Joseph Veth

Joseph Veth, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, and teacher, died peacefully in his Hamden, Connecticut home on July 28, 2024 with his wife and children by his side. His journey with cancer was marked by challenges but, even more profoundly, by the tremendous generosity extended by the healthcare workers, family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and community that have surrounded him and his family.

A proud son of the Bronx, New York, Joe was born on March 29, 1955 to his treasured late parents Ralph J. Veth and Edna Glum Veth, joining his older siblings in a loving home filled with music and humor. His dear brother, Ralph J. G. Veth, predeceased him by less than three weeks.

Joe is survived by his wife, Heidi Zavatone-Veth, and children, Jacob and Sofia Zavatone-Veth, who are deeply grateful for his gentle nurturing, thoughtful mind, abundant wit, and abiding love. He is also survived by his sisters Kathryn (& Joseph) Mastropolo and Edna (& John) Abdale and their families, his sister-in-law Geraldine Veth and family, as well as members of the Zavatone family.

A life-long learner, lover of books and languages, and advocate for education that empowers all, Joe earned a B.S. in Psychology from Fordham University, an M.A. in Theology from the Maryknoll School of Theology, and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Connecticut. A year in Guatemala after college led Joe to service in Chile and Guatemala with Maryknoll where he joined local communities in their work for justice and peace.

Through a mutual commitment to social justice and the indigenous peoples of Guatemala, Joe met the love of his life, Heidi. They shared a 33-year marriage filled with laughter, tender companionship, and profound joy. Their joy deepened when they welcomed their children, Jake in 1997 and Sofia in 2002. Joe loved nothing more that accompanying them on walks, building things with them, reading and singing to them, taking them to museums, listening to their ideas and stories, exchanging his and their trademark humor, and watching them grow into their full selves.

Joe’s care extended to those with whom he shared his career as an educator. He took great pleasure in connecting with students and colleagues at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, where he was a long-time Professor of Education and Humanities. A woodworker and builder, Joe was dedicated to doing what he could to help build equity in education and society, and to uphold the worth of every human being. He loved engaging with students and others around life’s big questions—What does it mean to live well? Who do you not want to be when you grow up? Joe was clear that he did not have the answers but that his journey as a seeker was about continuing to explore the questions for himself and with others.

Joe’s body was laid to rest in a private green burial at River’s Rest in Fountain Hill Cemetery in Deep River, Connecticut. A celebration of his life was held on September 7, 2024 at Albertus Magnus College.

The family shares that donations to remember Joe’s life and spirit can be made to the Albertus Magnus Teacher Preparation Scholarship fund that will support students with high financial need during their student teaching (Donate to Albertus Magnus College with Teacher Preparation Scholarship designated in the memo: Albertus Magnus College, Office of Advancement, 700 Prospect Street New Haven, CT 06111) or to the Palliative Care Fund at Yale New Haven Hospital that supports comfort for patients and their families as well as education for healthcare providers (Donate online: Please see below). For more information or to contact the family please email, [email protected]