Joseph R. Hawley

Joseph was born in Bethel, CT to the late Royal Hawley and Hermine Reiske Hawley on May 27, 1934. Joseph was the youngest of six children. He graduated from both Bethel High School and Henry Abbott Tech, from their machine tool program. He was very proud of the fact that he had 2 diplomas as well as being the last graduating class from the trade school on Main Street.

He married Christine Hawley (Hawley) on July 27, 1957. They moved to Redding, CT in 1960. He worked the majority of his career at Danbury Centerless Grinding Company as a Machinist. He was a veteran of the US Army.

Joseph was very active in The West Redding Volunteer Fire Department. He served in many different capacities through the years including commissioner, director, entertainment chairman. He enjoyed Bowling and Softball for both Industrial as well as Fire Department leagues. He was also on the Centerless Golf team, a sport he enjoyed immensely in retirement.

He had a great sense of humor, was lighthearted and never missed the opportunity to play a joke on someone. He retired in 1996. Not long after he and Chris moved to Adamstown, Pennsylvania where they enjoyed going to estate sales, auctions and flea markets to buy for their personal collections as well as to resell. They set up almost weekly for years at local markets under the name Hawley’s Antiques.

During the pandemic they continued to sell what they had on hand through online auctions. He was an active member as well as President of the Adamstown Lions Club. In October of 2021 they moved back to Connecticut.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Christine, as well as his brothers: Amos, Charlie, Franklin, Philo; and his sister. Flora Robinson.

Joseph is survived by his daughter, Leslie and her husband, Michael Bardelli as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Gathering will be held from 4:00pm - 7:00pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT.

A Prayer Service will be conducted at 6:45pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the funeral home.

Burial in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury, CT will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, you are asked to donate to NM Animal Welfare Society, 8 Dodd Rd, New Milford CT.

Leslie and Michael would like to send sincere Thanks and Appreciation to those who cared for Joseph at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals as well as New Milford Community Ambulance during his illness.