Naugatuck, CT Joseph A. Rotella, Sr., 78, of Naugatuck, the husband of the late Irene (Gesseck) Rotella and Joanne (Tuccillo) Rotella, died Wednesday at Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born November 17, 1935 in Waterbury, a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Margiotta) Rotella, he lived most of his life in Naugatuck and he enjoyed spending time with his family. Joe was a United States Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the V.F.W. Crusader Post 1946. Joe was a member and the former permittee of the B.P.O.Elks Lodge #967 and was a former member of the Cristoforo Colombo Society. Joe was a former employee of Peter Paul and retired from the Sunbeam Bakery. Joe is survived by his daughter Joanne Yenkelun and her husband Jeff, his son Richard Newhart, his son Joseph A. Rotella, Jr., and his wife Lori, his daughter Kimberly Best and her husband Kyle, his son Anthony J. Rotella and his wife Lisa, his daughter Andrea Rotella, his brother Richard Rotella, his grandchildren Kimberly, Kenny, Crystal, Jason, Jimmy and Emily and his six great grandchildren. Joe was pre-deceased by his grandson Lucas Yenkelun. The family would like to thank everyone at Paradigm Healthcare Center of Prospect and the 9th floor staff at Waterbury Hospital for the excellent care they gave to Joe. A Service will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 11:00am at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue. Calling hours are Saturday from 9:00am to 11:00am. Members of the Naugatuck Veterans Council will assemble at the funeral home Saturday at 10:15am. Members of the Naugatuck Elks Lodge will perform a ritual Saturday at 10:30am. To honor Joe’s memory, contributions may be made to the Naugatuck Elks Lodge, 758 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770.