Joseph A. Williams III,

Joseph Anthony Williams III, 74 was called to heaven, surrounded by his family, on December 19, 2015.  He was born in New Haven on June 18, 1941 to the late Joseph A. Williams Jr. and Helen (DeAngelis) Williams. In addition to his beloved wife Barbara, he is survived by his loving daughters Lisa Williams and Kelly Williams Suplinskas; his son-in-law Alan Suplinskas; his grandchildren Lauren and Gregory; his sister Anne Marie Duffy and her husband William; his brother Richard Williams and his wife Gail; and his sister-in-law Theresann Baxter; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Affectionately known as “Joe Bananas”, “Poppy” and “J. Anthony”, Joe was a man with a gentle and generous heart who was dedicated to his loving family. He started work at a young age, helping his father in the banana business. He later became the proprietor of J. Williams Jr. Co, a wholesale banana distribution business, and for 35 years he worked tirelessly building his business. Joe was a real estate investor and with his wife Barbara, bought, restored and sold many properties in his lifetime. Throughout his life, he was a passionate car enthusiast who had a thirst for speed and an obsession for new wheels every few years.  Joe enjoyed boating and lovingly named one of his favorites  “Barbara-Pauline” after his wife of 55 years. Joe loved racing cars in his younger years, a fine cigar, classic old movies, his cozy beach house and always referred to his home as his castle. He loved his wife’s Italian cooking and cookies, reclining in his chair under the warm sun, spending time with and spoiling his family and sitting on his porch rocker watching his green grass grow into a perfectly manicured lawn. Joe loved music and in his later years he found his true voice and started singing love songs and ballads and recorded more than 50 CDs, all known as “Beautiful Music by J. Anthony.  Mostly, Joe cherished his wife Barbara, his two daughters and his grandchildren. He was forever young at heart, optimistic, witty, wise, generous, caring, sentimental, and deeply dedicated to his loved ones, friends, and dog Holly. He will be forever loved and missed by all who knew and loved him for the special man he was.  Keep singing your beautiful music our beloved J. Anthony so we can hear your sweet voice from Heaven.

His family will receive relatives and friends in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue on Sunday, December 27th from 3 to 6 p.m.  His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home Monday morning, December 28th at 9:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Road, Wallingford at 10:00 am. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to ASCPA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) www.aspcaorg/donate.