Joseph A. Link, 95, formerly of Branford, husband of the late Ann (Cooney), died Oct. 25. He was the son of John and Rose (Cupak) Link. He grew up in Woodbury, New Jersey, a first generation American and the first in his family to graduate from college, Bucknell University, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

After college, he moved to New York City to participate in an intership with Babcock and Wilcox and met his wife Ann, who worked in the General Foods test kitchens. Their first home was in Woodbury, New Jersey, where he joined the United States Navy, and served on the USS Rudderow, Destroyer Escort, in the Pacific conflict of World War II. After the war, they settled in Branford. He was president and owner of Foskett & Bishop, a mechanical engineering company in New Haven, for 25 years and was most proud of his work for the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.

Joe was a lifelong antique collector, especially of early American tools, and served as president of the Early American Industries Association and was a founding member of Antique Tools and Trades in Connecticut (ATTIC). Upon retirement, Joe and Ann traveled extensively, settling in Englewood, Florida, where they created a magical garden of native Floridian plants. If asked who most influenced him, Joe would answer his parents, for his strong foundation, his Sunday School teacher, Ken Slifer, for redirecting his life and for his education and his wife for her constant love and support.

He is survived by his three children, Joseph W. Link and his wife Vlasta, Mary Link and her husband Joe, and Martha Link Walsh and her husband Fran; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

In lieu of a memorial service, Joe’s family asks that friends and loved ones take time to share their love with those they care about. Joe will be buried alongside Ann in Branford. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT 06405.