Joseph Richard Pope, age 91, formally of Circular Avenue of Hamden and now resided with his daughter Barbara in East Haven, entered into eternal life on Monday March 8, 2021 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born on January 15, 1930 in New Haven, CT, son of the late Joseph and Martha (Penney) Pope. The beloved husband of Barbara (DelGrego) Pope for over 55 years. Loving father of Cheryl (James) Swimmer of Norwich, Barbara (David Ryan) Piccolo of East Haven, Deborah (Albert) Calandro of West Haven, and Gregory Pope of West Haven. Cherished grandfather of Steven Swimmer of Boston, MA., Rebecca (Mike) Pannone of Wallingford, Emily Swimmer of Norwich, Christopher Piccolo of East Haven, and Elisabeth (Gabriel) Hernandez of Branford. Also survived by great niece Suzanne (Fredericks) Meunier of MA.

A Wake will be held on Thursday March 11, 2021, at the Hamden Memorial Funeral Home 1300 Dixwell Avenue Hamden, from 4-8pm.  Family and friends can attend a 7pm Panikhida Service at the Hamden Memorial Funeral Home day of wake.  Visitation will be held on Friday morning March 12, 2021 at Hamden Memorial Funeral Home from 8am-9:15am. A private funeral service will follow at the Holy Transfiguration Church on Alden Avenue in New Haven.  This is due to strict Covid person capacity at the church.  A final farewell horse drawn military and graveside service will be at the Beaverdale Memorial Park in Hamden on March 12, 2021. All family and friends can attend the service at 12/12:15pm. Condolences may be expressed at hamdenmemorialfuneralhome.com