Joseph C. Parrett

Joseph Curtis Parrett, age 83, beloved husband of Ellen (Camp) Parrett for 42 years, passed away peacefully at home in Cheshire, CT, on Saturday, May 25, 2024.  Joseph was born in New Haven to his late parents, Frank and Catherine (Fuggi) Parrett. He was one of nine children. In the late 60’s-70’s, Joseph and several of his brothers owned and operated The Storm Club in New Haven, CT.  He then owned and operated Pal Joey’s on State Street in New Haven. In later years, he enjoyed working side by side at East Side Café with his eldest brother Frank Parrett, whom he loved and admired deeply.

Joseph also worked for many years at Rockbestos-Suprenant as a skilled electrician.  He was a “union man” through and through.  From boyhood throughout his career, he loved and excelled at baseball. Indeed, while at Rockbestos he was a star player who led its baseball team to many championships—a fact that he was proud of all his days.  

He loved horse races, baseball, and football. He was a huge Boston Red Sox and New York Giants fan.  Joseph was known for his jokes and wicked sense of humor, which were legendary along with his blue eyes that sparkled when telling a joke or singing his favorite Frank Sinatra songs.  At his core, he was a man of good humor and good nature with a merry laugh that made everyone in the room cheerful.  He was a good fellow.  And when he sang at one of the many Parrett and Camp family gatherings, you would think that “Ol’ Blue Eyes” himself was there!

Joseph and Ellen shared the love of music, dancing and traveling. You would see them together at many local town concerts and Italian festivals.  They loved to travel, enjoying trips to New York City, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Rhode Island, Maine, Florida, California, and Hawaii.  Joseph especially loved going to Charleston and Misquamicut Beaches in Rhode Island, eating lobster, sharing a drink at Paddy’s, or clamming and crabbing with family. During all the seasons, with his family and friends, he enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at Swan Lake and at the family house in Bar Harbor, Maine. 

Joseph loved and was proud of his family.  He is survived by his son, Vincent (Natasha) Parrett of Palo Alto, CA, and by his daughter, Kim (Bill) Wieler of Cheshire, CT. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Haley, Teddy, Raffaele, and Stefan (Brittany), six great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter expected in November 2024. He is also survived by brothers, Robert (Anita) Parrett, Charles (Elizabeth) Parrett and Edward Parrette, sister-in-law Jeannette (Catalano) Parrett, brother-in-law Robert (Carol) Camp, and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his stepson Michael, brothers Frank Parrett and Thomas Parrett, his sisters Judith Fanelli, Sandra Quarequio and Dolores Brandi, brothers-in-law Vincent Brandi, Richard Quarequio, and Fred Camp, Jr. and sisters-in-law Carmela (Maiorano) Parrette and Judith Camp.

Friends and family are invited to a service of remembrance at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at St. James Church, 62 East Grand Avenue, New Haven. There will be no calling hours and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, his family respectfully requests that donations be sent to one of the following organizations: The American Lung Association at action.lung.org, the COPD Foundation at copdfoundation.org, or Masonicare Hospice, 22 Masonic Avenue, Wallingford, CT 06492.

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