Joseph J. Gaj, 98, beloved husband of the late Josephine A (Grodzki) Gaj, died on Monday May 8, 2017 at MidState Medical Center.

Born on December 4, 1918 he was the son of the late John and Frances (Przywara) Gaj. Joe was a WWII veteran and served with the Second Marine Division in Hawaii, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa and Japan. He was employed by New Departure in Meriden and Bristol for over 30 years. Joe was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister since 1995 and devoted many hours of volunteer work. He was a member of the St. Stanislaus Sunshine Club, the Holy Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus Third and Fourth Degree, local and national AARP, Meriden Senior Center, PLAV Post 189, VFW Post 585, Silver City Detachment Marine Corps. League and Second Marine Division Association.

On March 18, 2007 Joe received the St. Joseph Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation by the Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, D.D.

Mr. Gaj is survived by his sister, Jenny Edgar of Meriden and many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his five brothers: Theodore, Stanley, Edward, John and Henry Gaj and his sister Bernice Kasabucki.

His funeral will be held on Friday May 12th at 9:15 a.m. from the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden when the funeral cortege will proceed to St. Stanislaus Church for a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday evening May 11th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com .