Joseph J. Comprone, 74, died on May 1, 2017. He was Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Connecticut. His pioneering work in Rhetoric and Composition took him across the country and around the world. He earned his B.A. from Springfield College, Massachusetts (Cum Laude) in 1965; M.A. from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1967 and Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1970. He was Dean, Arts and Sciences at ASU West from 1992-1999. Also at ASU West he was Professor of American Studies and English and taught undergraduate courses: Professional Writing; Fiction and Film; the Contemporary Novel. He was driven by a desire to build programs and campuses that would best nurture and serve the needs of students, faculty, and community alike. Among his proudest achievements are the Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Louisville, the Maritime Studies Program and the student center on the UConn Avery Point Campus, a Fulbright for the 2010/11 academic year, and the careers and accomplishments of his students.  Dr. Comprone wrote five books, published over 50 refereed articles and 10 refereed book chapters, and presented over 90 papers at professional conferences. He is survived by his wife, Connie (Dugan) Comprone, four children, nine grandchildren and three siblings. A memorial will be held on July 12, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 p.m, in the Branford House on the Avery Point Campus in Groton, CT., where he could look out on Long Island Sound from his office window. The family has requested that donations be made to the Joseph John Comprone Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will help fund the education of an Avery Point student pursuing a degree in either Maritime Studies or Marine Sciences. CLICK HERE TO DONATE  or make checks payable to UConn Foundation 2390 Alumni Drive, #3206 Storrs, CT 06269. (Source: Dave Schwalm)