Joseph J. Bulba

Joseph J. Bulba, 88, died July 15, 2012 after a long illness. Born in Hartford to the late John and Katherine (Smola) Bulba, he was a 1940 graduate of Bulkeley High School and a 1944 graduate of Northeastern University. Upon graduation with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, he went to work at Jackson and Moreland in Boston as a structural engineer until 1948 when he went to work for the then CT State Highway Dept. After the 1955 flood he helped initiate and develop pre-stressed concrete design programs, a new concept at a time when rapid bridge replacement was imperative. Joe was also responsible for the design of many innovative structures. He was most proud of being the design leader for the South Street arch bridge over I-84 in Middlebury that later won a national award for beautiful bridges. After retiring from the DOT in 1979 he went to work as Chief of Bridge Engineering at Storch Associates where he worked until 1990. He was a life member of The American Society of Civil Engineers. Joe loved people and gave back to his community, serving many years as a volunteer for the Bloomfield Center Volunteer Fire Department and Meals on Wheels. He had an inquisitive mind, was a voracious reader and enjoyed learning about anything and everything. Even after losing his eyesight his wife would read him the daily newspaper and he never failed to listen to the evening news or miss an episode of 60 Minutes. He loved to talk and always had a story to tell. Joe loved his family dearly and looked forward to summers spent at his beach house in Matunuck, RI with his kids and grandkids. He and his wife, the former Lorraine Ihlefeldt, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 19, 2012. Besides his wife he leaves his children, Tamar Roche of Orlando, FL, Micaela Engel and husband Glenn of Snohomish, WA, John Bulba of Norridgewock, ME, and 7 grandchildren, Alex, Dana, Drew, Olivia, Rachael, Eric, and Sean. A memorial service will be held Sat. July 21 at 11:00 a.m. at The Universalist Church, 433 Fern St, West Hartford, CT 06107. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Universalist Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.