WEST HARTFORD- Joseph Mackas, "Joe", 87, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2016, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut. He was born on March 9, 1929 in Colchester, Connecticut to Andrew Davidovich and Nadezhda Zhibrik Mackas. Joseph grew up in Colchester, Connecticut. He graduated from Bacon Academy in Colchester, Connecticut in 1947. After high school he worked for Coca Cola Co. in East Hartford. Joe's strong work ethic led him to work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft as a Test Cell Operator where he worked for 38 years. At retirement from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Joe was the recipient of an award for Outstanding Loyalty and Dedication for his years of employment. Joseph married Joan Blackall in 1965 at St. Timothy's Church in West Hartford, Connecticut. They were happily married for 51 years. He was an active member of the West Hartford Senior Center. Joe enjoyed his moped rides, fishing, Polka music, playing the accordion and outdoor concerts. Joe looked forward to annual summer family camping vacations to Lake George, New York, birthday celebrations, and World Series Baseball Games. Joe's fondest memories were growing up on the family farm in Colchester, "The Country". Joseph is survived by his spouse Joan of West Hartford, Connecticut; his daughters Carolyn (Mackas) Thompson of Huntington Beach, California; Nancy (Mackas) Bonomo of Cheshire, Connecticut; his brother George A. Mackas of Wethersfield, Connecticut; his grandchildren Luke and Shaun Thompson and Joshua and Lily Bonomo; his nieces and nephews, son in laws; David Thompson and David Bonomo, former neighbors, friends and other relatives. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Nadezhda Mackas; his brothers Alexander Mackas: Vladimir Mackas and his sister Olga Mackas Baclawski. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Belmont Funeral Home, 144 South Main Street, Colchester, Connecticut 06415 from 9:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. A funeral service will follow at St. Andrew's Church, 128 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, Connecticut 06415 at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral at St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to .