Joseph James Zagarenski, Jr.

Joseph James Zagarenski, Jr., 80, of Preston died suddenly at home on April 12, 2024. Joe was born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Joseph Sr. and Valerie (Macy). Joe was wonderful. He was a thoughtful, creative, and humorous man, who was devoted to his loving wife Margaret (Peggy) Nardo Zagarenski. Peggy and Joe adored each other’s company and never left each other’s side. They would have been married 60 years this June. Family was everything to Joe: He was the best Dad to his daughters Pamela and Kim (Tobias Glaza), both of Stonington, and to his son Joseph B. and his wife Kate of Milford. He was the best Grampa to his grandchildren Abigail & Luka Van Vlaenderen, and Ryan, Liam & Julia Zagarenski. He leaves his sister Barbara Ruggiero and his brother Glen Zagarenski, Peggy’s sister Barbara Freeland and cousin Carol Onderdonk and their families, former son-in-law Michael VanVlaenderen, and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Joe loved everything about being on the water: taking his boat for a day trip with Peggy; piling the whole family on board for fun outings exploring the ocean; spending the day at Sandy Point Beach; fishing with his brother, kids, and grandkids; and spending countless hours fixing and tuning up his boat.

He worked as a tool and die maker for United Nuclear Corporation (UNC) and later Rogers Corporation. He enjoyed spending his time creatively and in nature as much as possible. He was a phenomenal craftsman and gardener. A perpetual tinkerer and skilled woodworker, Joe enjoyed and spent hours making beautiful, useful, and sometimes humorous gifts for his loved ones. He was caring and generous, always showing up with bountiful bags of vegetables from his garden, fish that he had caught and cleaned, or a tool to help with something he knew needed fixing.

Joe took great pride in the diverse talents and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and always showed interest in their work, activities, and pastimes. Joe had a wonderful sense of humor, combined with a joy for surprising others in unique and creative ways. He loved cooking and was an adventurous sampler of new foods. He always asked for the recipe and enjoyed re-creating dishes at home with Peggy, always sharing a photo of the finished creations.

He had the gift of gab and was a very engaged and curious conversationalist. Every year, he looked forward to reuniting with his friends and colleagues from UNC at an annual gathering. Joe was a blessing to all who knew him. A gentle man and a true gentleman, whose love for his wife and his family, great heart, creativity, and wry wit will be keenly missed and remembered always.

Friends are invited to call at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home 490 Voluntown Road, Griswold on Monday April 22 from 5-6 pm. A funeral service will immediately follow at 6 pm.

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