Joseph V. Covey

Joseph Victor Covey (Joe), of Westbrook, Connecticut, passed away on February 10, 2025, at the age of 98. He was born on May 31, 1926, in New Britain, Connecticut where he grew up and graduated from New Britain High school.

Joe served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2 on a Liberty ship in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns. He was a gunner’s mate manning a 20 mm cannon primarily in defense against enemy U-boats and kamikaze aircraft. His profession after the war was as a master tool and die maker, completing his career with Raymond Engineering in Middletown, Connecticut until retirement.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Florence Pac Covey, the mother of Thomas and Susan, his brother Robert Covey, and his parents, Olin Covey and Catherine (Scott) Covey and his grandparents

He is survived by his second wife, Deborah LeMontague, son Thomas Covey, daughter Susan Daniells, and grandchildren Morgan Shiloh Covey and Harry Daniells.

Joe was an avid and adventurous sportsman. In the early 1960’s he became a scuba diver scouring the depths of Long Island Sound for treasures and seafood bounty with his young nephew, Greg Pac, and son, Tom Covey. He eventually became an instructor at the Plainville YMCA in this newly emerging and highly technical sport. He trained in the martial arts becoming a blackbelt in judo eventually coaching several Plainville YMCA youth judo teams to Connecticut championships. During summers in the 1960’s he taught judo to the youth on the sandy beaches of Old Kelsey Point in Westbrook, Connecticut gaining the moniker “Judo Joe”. He later served a term as president of the Old Kelsey Point Hill and Beach Association in Westbrook. Post retirement he became a long-distance open water swimming racer in Long Island Sound, consistently setting new records for his age group well into his 80’s. He frequently volunteered for the Westbrook YMCA raising funds for their growing facility.

The family would like to thank Paul Blanchard for the care and compassion he showed our loved one in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend Calling Hours at Thursday February 20 from 6 to 8 PM at Swan Funeral Home, located at 1224 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Visitation with the family will begin at 6 PM with a military ceremony at 7 PM.

Interment will occur privately at Resurrection Cemetery, located at 1080 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook, Connecticut.