Litchfield - Joseph L. (Lary) Kuharich passed away November 13, 2016. Joseph was born on December 20, 1945 in Middletown, New York to Joseph L. Kuharich and Madelyn I. Kuharich who both preceded him in death.

Joseph (Lary) graduated St. Joseph High School, South Bend, Indiana 1963 and was a member of the 1963 Notre Dame Freshman team. He was a member of the Boston College football team of mid 1960’s and the Lowell Giants – Atlantic Coast Football league where he was drafted in the 16th round as a DB for the Minnesota Vikings NFL. After being released in 1968 he began his 44 year teaching/coaching career in High School in Cambridge, MA. Coaching in college at Boston State College, University of Rhode Island, Temple University, Illinois State University, and the University of California/Berkley working as both assistant and head coach. He experienced a college bowl victory with Wayne Hardin at Temple University. As offensive coordinator at Cal Berkley he was a part of the “Big Play” with Joe Kapp. “The Play vs Stanford Band” in 1982 Victory.

Lary (Joseph) began his pro coaching in the USFL 1984 with the San Antonio Gunslingers, 1985 USFL Oakland Invaders. He continued to coach as an assistant and head coach in the CFL, Calgary and BC. Arena football league, Tampa Bay Storm where he won 2 championships, 1991 and 1993. CT Coyotee, NY Dragons, NJ Gladiators, NY City Hawks, Arizona Rattlers, Nashville Kats, Columbus Destroyers. He continued coaching in the world league and the New Orleans Saints with Mike Ditka. He finished his coaching at Division 3, The Apprentice School in Newport News, Virginia. In recent years he had a private scouting/coaching consulting firm.

Joseph is survived by his wonderful beautiful wife of 36 years, Kathleen and his precious loving daughters; Jacquelyn Lara of FL, Theresa of MA, Katrina Joseph of AK and Dakota Maria of CT, two sons-in-law Michael of FL and Nathan of MA, along with grandsons; Alexander and Gunnar of FL, his brother William (Bill) Kuharich, his sister-in-law, Betsy and his nieces; Megan, Lexi and Kelli of Delaware.

In Lieu of flowers please contribute to the Joe Kuharich Foundation, Scholarship Fund at the University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 2:00pm at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South Street, Litchfield. Calling hours will take place prior to the service from 12:00-1:30pm at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield. Burial will be private.

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