The Papp Family

Friends,

Within the past week, a wonderful Fairfield family had their lives change in a blink.

Anyone who knows the Papp family knows that Joe Papp has a larger-than-life presence, is always there for his friends and family and has a special passion for baseball; coaching little league and summer travel teams for several years here in Fairfield. A true mentor, he poured so much passion and dedication into teaching the boys his fine-tuned pitching techniques. You would find Joe all summer long at his favorite Penfield Beach sandbar, proclaiming it “the best beach with the clearest water in CT!” Later in the summer Joe and his family would be holding court at his other favorite beach in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. This summer has sadly played out much differently for the Papps.

Recently, at only 52, Joe’s health quickly started declining and just a little over a week ago, a trip to the ER uncovered that Joe was critically ill and in multiple organ failure. Within a couple of days, the doctors at Bridgeport Hospital diagnosed Joe with stage 4 cancer that has spread throughout his body. He is currently at home on hospice care, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe’s wife and best friend Julie has been by his side (as she has always been) and is facing the unthinkable idea that she will soon have to say goodbye to her Joey. Joe’s daughter Claire is a rising Junior at Clemson University and his son Graham is a rising Sophomore at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The pride Joe has always shown for both children radiated with every word he has ever spoken about Claire and Graham. Seeing their Dad’s health decline so suddenly has been heartbreaking to say the least. A prideful father, there is no doubt Joe is struggling to come to terms with leaving his children and wife without his financial support moving forward.

This is a family that has so many ties to the community. Julie is a well-respected educator at The Southport School and advocates for so many families in our community. Joe has a landscaping business with many longtime, loyal clients in the Darien community. He takes so much pride in making other’s properties look beautiful (his own backyard oasis being no exception). Joe’s previous career as a golf pro brought him many connections to the Stamford community as well. Both kids went through Fairfield Public schools starting in Riverfield, followed by RLMS and FLHS. Claire played softball and Graham baseball and football. Graham just wrapped up an awesome freshman season on the FLHS baseball team. Joe, as a former college pitcher beamed with pride watching Graham follow in his footsteps as a gifted pitcher.

Many in the community have been asking how they can help this beautiful, hardworking, and tight knit family through this difficult time. Though we know that Julie would not want to ask for a single thing from anyone, we also know that people are eager to help the Papps and we appreciate this amazing community’s penchant for helping one another through difficult times.

There will be financial burdens facing the Papps, both in the short term with funeral expenses and in the long term with college expenses and simply keeping up with general household expenses without Joe’s income. Thank you so much for considering helping the Papp Family ease the burden of the months and years ahead without Joe. Keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers this week.