Joan (Kowalewski) Esposito

Joan Esposito, 85, of Orange, formerly of West Haven and New Haven, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 10th surrounded by her family at Yale New Haven Hospital, St. Raphael Campus. Beloved wife of 49 years to the late Charles J. Esposito, Jr.  Born to Arthur Kowalewski and Josephine Rosenplanter in New Haven on December 24, 1938. 

Joan will be sorely missed by her daughter, Karen (Jim) Kline of Orange, and her granddaughters Jessica (Gavin) and Jaclyn (Connor) who called her "MeMe." She also leaves her cherished newborn great-grandson, Ronan, as well as nephews Arthur, Michael, and Robert Kowalewski, and her best friend of over 50 years Cyndi (Jon) Erickson. In addition to her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her daughter Diane Esposito and her brother Arthur Kowalewski. 

Joan graduated from Commercial High School (now Wilbur Cross) in New Haven in 1956. She worked for the West Haven Board of Education starting in 1975 as a secretary in the high school guidance department, then maintenance department, and later as a bookkeeper in food services until her retirement after 30 years in 2005. Joan was proud to receive a Proclamation from Mayor Richard Borer proclaiming her retirement date, June 30, 2005, as "Joan Esposito Day." Previous to her tenure with the City of West Haven, she worked in finance for numerous city banks. 

Joan was incredibly involved within the West Haven community for over 40 years.  It all began at St. Lawrence School, where both of her daughters attended and graduated from.  She was an active board member of the school’s St. Theresa Guild; helped to establish and organize the extraordinarily successful school carnival which went on for many decades; and was the founding member and leader of the Girl Scout Troop #530.  It was at St. Lawrence where she met many of her longtime friends. In her later years, she also taught Catechism at St. Mary Church in Milford where both of her granddaughters attended (it was truly the only way to get them to attend weekly). Joan also started the PTSA at West Haven High School in the early 1980's where she ran many functions at the school including the well-loved talent show and the yearly 12-hour dance-off that raised money for various charities. 

Joan joined West Haven Emblem Club #45 on October 6, 1986. She became Club President in May of 1994.  She then went on to hold many offices at the local and state levels until she was elected State President in May of 2007. She remained active until she had to care for her ailing husband, Charlie, but still continued to support the Club from afar. Joan held the Emblem Club close to her heart. 

For fun, Joan was a volunteer seamstress, sewing all the dance costumes for Mic-Mac Dance Academy in West Haven, where both of her daughters danced for 15 years. In the early 1980's Joan decided to help her daughter Diane "manage" Karen's senior Babe Ruth Softball team. It was then that she would finally learn – or try to learn – the ball game. They were the 1984 league champions and Joan held this win dear to her heart. She quickly became "mom" to fifteen amazing young ladies. Prior to her passing she proudly talked about "her softball team" with the biggest smile. Each member held such a special place in her heart even after all these years. She loved their team get-together a few years back as they all shared many laughs.

Joan was an avid Red Sox fan while Charlie, Karen, Jim, Jessica and Jaci were all Yankees fans - making for an interesting October in the house where they all lived together. Many doors were slammed, and arguments took place when the teams played against each other. The family will certainly miss hearing her put down the Yankees no matter how much worse the Red Sox were doing. About ten years ago, Jessica met David Ortiz and shared stories of the endless banter in the house. He thought it was hilarious and asked for a pen and paper to write Joan a note – "To MeMe, Yankees suck - David Ortiz, Big Papi." Her cherished Charlie was buried in a Yankees casket, and now, Joan will be by his side in her Red Sox one.

Joan will be deeply missed by many. Her tough, strong-willed demeanor was equally met with extreme selflessness to the community where she lived and worked. We love and miss you already, Mom.  Until we meet again...

Visitation will take place on Friday, September 13th from 4 until 7 pm at West Haven Funeral Home at the Green.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 14th at 10 am at Holy Infant Church.  Attendees are asked to meet directly at church.  Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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