Joe Bachta's Obituary

Joseph A. (Joe) Bachta, 84, of West Hartford, died unexpectedly November 29, 2010 at Hartford Hospital.  He was the beloved husband of Marian (Bielanski) Bachta, “his love” of 61 years.  Joseph is also survived by his three adoring children, daughter Diane Zalewski, her husband Eddy and their child Sarah and her husband Alok; son Robert Bachta, his wife Kate and their child Jacob; and daughter Linda Lough, her husband Dan and their children Kate, Drew, and Ryan.  Joseph is also survived by his sister Mary Dec. Joseph was born March 14, 1926 in Auburn, NY, son of the late Bernard and Victoria Bachta.  He attended Auburn High School, where he was a four-letterman, and graduated early to serve proudly as an Air Force Cadet and in the US Air Force during WWII.  He graduated from Northeastern University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He pursued his passion as one of the greatest engineering minds in structural steel fabrication, first with City Iron Works, then Standard Structural Steel Company, and finally as the proud owner and President of International Bridge and Iron Company.  Joseph has left a lasting imprint on the infrastructure of the Northeast, fabricating the structural steel for many of the region’s bridges and high rise buildings, including the Gold Star Memorial Bridge from Groton to New London, Dewey Square in Boston, 1177 Avenue of the Americas in NYC, and The Bell Atlantic Tower in Philadelphia.  Joseph became a Professional Engineer in 1956, was nominated as “Construction Man of the Year” in 1975, and was voted by his peers as a lifetime member of the Society of Professional Engineers in 1992.  Joseph was a devout Roman Catholic who saw the good in all people, and with his unfailing optimism he accomplished great things.  He gathered his family each year in Hilton Head for the beach, tennis and golf and to Saratoga and Lake George for the races and fun. He taught them to stick together and to cherish family.  He loved his wife Marian “his angel”, his children, and his grand children.  He was husband, Dad, and Dziadzi to them individually, but a hero and an inspiration to them all.  His life, his heart, and his soul will live on in those who loved him so.

Calling hours are on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Taylor and Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday December 3, 2010 at 9:15 a.m. for a procession to St. Peter Claver Church, West Hartford, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford.  In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions in Joseph Bachta’s memory be made to the Department of Civil Engineering, 118 Cushing Hall, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.  If you prefer to make an online contribution, visit www.northeastern.edu/giveonline. Select “Other” and enter “Civil Engineering Department”.  Under “Gift Dedication”, please designate “in memory of Joseph Bachta”.  For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.