- Date Of Birth: June 2, 1919
- Date Of Death: August 22, 2008
- State: Connecticut
Joseph was born in Rosenheim Germany on June 2, 1919. He was the youngest of seven children born to Otto and Katherine Wagner.
Joe moved to the United States in 1953.
In 1964, Joe and Betty bought a plot of land and built the expanded Joseph’s Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, which was a fixture in town for 25 years. To Joe, the bakery was not just a business, it was a second home – and his customers and employees were family. On cold days, he opened the bakery early to hand out hot coffee and pastries to local police officers and road workers. He invited local school groups for tours, giving each child a cupcake to decorate. He was proud to give local teens their first jobs. Joe worked seven days a week, from well before dawn to after dusk. In those long hours, he created joy for himself and so many others.
But absolutely nothing was more important to Joe than his wife and their four children. Having lost his parents at a very young age, he knew what a privilege it was to see his own kids grow up. He took them swimming and fishing. At dinner, he ate their vegetables for them when Betty wasn’t looking. He loved to have them “help” in the bakery, no matter how much longer it took. He required just a few things of them: that they work hard in school, keep their rooms neat, and be kind to each other. As they grew, he took great pride in their accomplishments. In tougher times, there was no one more empathetic.
Joe was extraordinarily proud to be an American citizen. He decorated the bakery in red, white and blue each July 4th, and gave anyone who voted on election day a free donut.
Joe’s was the kind of deep, authentic patriotism that comes from having lived without freedom and choice: As a young man, he was drafted into the German Army and survived the brutal combat of the Russian Front. With these experiences behind him, he cherished his new life in the U.S. He found every opportunity for a good laugh, always ate dessert, and prayed that no other human being would have to experience war.
Joe loved meeting people and hearing their stories. He loved cracking jokes. He loved his wife beyond measure. Joe was one of the longest serving members of the Liederkranz, the German singing society.
Joe’s children will forever miss his gentle nature, his disarming honesty, and his great big heart – plus his raw cake batter, his old-fashioned donuts, and fresh bread. He will be remembered as a devoted brother, friend, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by: sons Peppie Wagner of West Hartford and David Wagner of Woodbury; daughters Kathy Bellas of Old Lyme and Betsy Wagner of Brooklyn, NY; grandsons Nicholas and Alexander Bellas, and Zachary and Tyler Wagner; granddaughters Halle Wagner and Morgan Dagata; and his beloved nieces and nephews.
He will be missed each and every day.
