Joseph W. Garthwait, Jr.

Joseph W. Garthwait, Jr, 73, of Cheshire passed away peacefully on August 13, 2023 at Bristol Hospital. He was the loving husband and best friend of Janet (Camann) Garthwait for 54 years.

Joseph was born on November 19, 1949 in Waterbury, CT to the late Joseph Sr., and Ruth (Ronalter) Garthwait. Joe graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury and attended Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam NY and studied Engineering.  This is where he met and began his life with Jan. 

Joe was the successful owner and operator of Line Manufacturing Inc. in Wolcott for 50 years before retiring in 2015.  He was an avid boater for most of his life and loved spending his summers with his family in Branford, Mystic and Block Island on his boat, Short Season.  Joe was a sports enthusiast, he loved playing racquetball, skiing and golfing.  He enjoyed coaching his kids in softball, baseball, and basketball.  He was the biggest cheerleader for his kids and grandkids in any sports or performances they had.  He was also an avid gardener, a huge fan of Uconn Women’s Basketball and loved traveling.  Joe was a kind, caring, hard-working person and anyone that was lucky to know him knows how much his family meant to him.

In addition to his wife Janet, Joe is survived by his son, Mark Garthwait (Melissa) of Torrington, two Daughters, Elaine Daly (Peter) of Cheshire, and Kelly Mahl (James) of Georgia VT. He is also survived by a brother, David Garthwait (Cindy) and two sisters Karen Siwy (William), Ellen O’Brien, 7 grandchildren, Erin, Megan, Katelyn, Avery, Carter, Ethan, and Jessica, and in-laws Kathy Kalita (Mike), Ted Janese, Connie Camann, Carolyn and Kim Garthwait, and several nieces and nephews.  Joe was predeceased by 4 brothers Gregory, Eric, Mark, and Stephen and in-laws Lorrie Janese and John Camann.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to LiveWell, 1261 S. Main St. Plantsville, CT 06479. (https://livewell.org/donate).  This was a very special place to Joe and Jan, as the LiveWell team provided special care and support for them through this difficult journey. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Drive. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.