Obituary: General Joseph T. Wojtasik, 75, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) General Joseph T. Wojtasik (CT, Retired Army) 75, of Wojtasik Drive, Wallingford died Tuesday February 22, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer.

He was the dedicated husband of 45 years to Ruth Kurtz Wojtasik. Born in Middletown, November 30, 1946, he was the son of the late Col. Theodore Wojtasik and Mary Wojtasik.

Besides his wife Ruth, he is survived by his daughter Christy Mitchell and son-in-law Brian Mitchell, son Joseph Wojtasik Jr. and daughter-in-law Lisa Wojtasik, son Lance Wojtasik and partner Ronnieann Turbert, sister Nancy Bennett and brother-in-law Murray Bennett, brother Theodore Wojtasik, and grandchildren Joseph Wojtasik III, Brianna Wojtasik, Brendan Mitchell, Kyle Mitchell, Tate Mitchell, Aiden Wojtasik, Khaleesi Wojtasik, Lance Wojtasik Jr. and Logan Wojtasik.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife Melinda Hollis Wojtasik.

Prior to embarking on his military career of 36 years, Wojtasik graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1964 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in history from Saint Leo University in 1968 where he was awarded a full varsity basketball scholarship.

Following this accomplishment, he graduated from the Officer Candidate School in 1970, and was later inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. He graduated from the Infantry Officer Branch and Advanced Courses at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He was also branch qualified in Quartermaster and Combat Engineer. He was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Enlisting as a private in the Connecticut Army National Guard, Wojtasik rose through the ranks accepting a commission as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in 1970. In 1972 he was transferred to Co B, 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry as a Rifle Company Commander.

In 1977 he was hired full-time into the Federal Technician Program as a Captain, Training Officer in 2nd Battalion 102nd Infantry. From 1976 to 1990, he served with the 43rd Infantry Brigade as Executive Officer.

He was Commander of the 242nd Combat Engineer Battalion in addition to other staff positions as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was promoted to Full Colonel and was assigned as Director of Logistics for the Connecticut Army National Guard. In addition to being Commander of Joint Task Force Husky.

He retired as a Colonel, having held the positions of Director of Logistics and Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics until 2004.

He had been honored with dozens of awards and decorations for his service over 36 years. Upon retiring, Colonel Wojtasik's dedication was rewarded when he was promoted to Brigadier General, for his exceptional dedication and outstanding service to the State of Connecticut.

Wojtasik remained affiliated with the United States Army and was also a life member of such organizations as the American Legion, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Association of the United States Army.

He also was a member of the 1-102nd Infantry Association and was Executive Director of the 242nd Combat Engineer Battalion Association. A highly decorated officer, he had been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal (2), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass Device, the Army Service Ribbon, the Selective Reserve Forces Medal, the Overseas Training Ribbon, the Eisenhower Award, the Connecticut Long Service Medal (35 years), the Connecticut Emergency Service Ribbon (with 6 clusters), the Connecticut Wartime Service Medal and numerous federal and state awards and resolutions.

Wojtasik had previously been selected for inclusion in the 61st edition of Who's Who in America. He was also included in a publication, Legendary Locals of Wallingford, CT by Tarn Grannucci.

Mr. Wojtasik enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He always looked forward to his trips to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. While there, he enjoyed kayaking, eating lobster and getting tee shirts from his favorite stores downtown.

He enjoyed watching his grandchildren at their various school and sporting events. He loved watching his New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Arkansas Razorbacks.

Joe Wojtasik will truly be missed by all that knew him. He was a wonderful and caring father, friend, brother, uncle, grandfather and husband.

Joe’s family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Sunday, February 27th from 3 to 5 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Monday at 11 am, directly at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 139 N. Orchard St. Wallingford.

Interment with military honors will be held in the spring.