Joseph Edward Karas (Joe E), 69 of West Hartford went off to explore the mysteries of the Universe with his Guardian Angel on April 2nd, 2015. His passion for theoretical physics and science fiction was equaled only by his love for Uconn basketball. Joe was predeceased by his father, Joseph Andrew, and his brother Richard, and survived by his brothers, Steven, Philip, Mark, Kenneth and Andrew, and his sister Jeanne. He had been employed by the Phoenix Insurance Company and the State Labor Department, where he developed interstate information systems. Family and friends may say goodbye at Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield on Monday April 6th, from 5pm-8pm. Services will be at St. Augustine Church, 10 Campfield Ave, Hartford, Tues April 7th at 10 AM with burial at Mt. St Benedict in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartford Public Library. To share a memory with the family please visit www.dillonbaxter.com.