Joseph Kilray

Joseph "Joe" Kilray, 77, of Rocky Hill, passed away at home on July 14, 2026, after a seven-year battle with debilitating illness. He was a devoted husband to Naomi (Panciera) Kilray for fifty-one years. Born on March 24, 1949, to George and Mary (Kirby) Kilray, he was the youngest of five sons. The Hanmer St. backyard wiffleball team has now been retired, with his brothers Edward, George, Robert, and William all predeceasing their brother, affectionately called “baby Joey.”

Joe grew up in the South End of Hartford, Connecticut, before making Rocky Hill home in 1976. He graduated from Bulkeley High School, where he played both soccer and golf, and later from Morse School of Business. Joe proudly served six years in the Army National Guard. He spent more than thirty-five years working at St. Francis Hospital and, in retirement, generously volunteered for seven years at Middlesex Hospital.

Above all else, Joe was an incredible father to Brent, Kaitlin (D’Alesandro), and Eric. He was always present, supporting his children whether it was a tennis match, dance recital, or baseball game. He was an active volunteer in town sports and schools, even spending his lunch hours in a kindergarten classroom for a year. Years later, he took on a new role as “Papa” to Mateya, Gionni, Marcello, Jackson, and Weston, and he embraced grandparenthood as he did fatherhood. In his final years, nothing brought Joe more happiness than his grandchildren—whether he was cheering them on at their games, celebrating “Summer Christmas” with the whole family, looking through their photos and videos, or enjoying their visits when they “bounced” into the house.

Joe was a walking encyclopedia when it came to sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, UConn Huskies, and Hartford Whalers. He attended many games over the years and always looked forward to summer trips to Fenway Park with his cousin, John Kilray. He loved to share the fact that he never missed a UConn football game at Rentschler Field from 2003 to 2023. He even passed on a fall European cruise because UCF was coming to town and he had to be at The Rent for the Civil Conflict.

He loved the game of golf. He enjoyed countless rounds with friends and family and was a devoted fan of the Travelers Championship, happily attending and volunteering at the tournament since its early days as the Insurance City Open at Wethersfield Country Club.

Joe is also survived by his son-in-law, Mark D’Alesandro, and daughter-in-law, Allison Kilray; his sisters-in-law, Charlayne Sierota, Margaret Kilray, and Mary Kilray; his brother-in-law, John Sierota; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, July 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. The funeral procession will leave the funeral chapel at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Parish at Incarnation Church, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Burial will follow at Village Cemetery in Old Wethersfield. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com