Captain Justin John Donnelly, USMC, lived his life as a proud American, Marine, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, lawyer, farmer, Jew, and friend of Bill W. Justin was born in Waterbury, on July 6, 1941 to the late Thomas and Ann (Moore) Donnelly and died on January 5, 2018 in Suffield, on his farm. Justin proudly served his country as a Captain in the US Marine Corps in the Viet Nam War from 1965 to 1966. Justin worked hard his entire life, holding many jobs right until his death, and instilling a tremendous work ethic in all his children. Justin also proudly volunteered in an abundance of capacities; coaching all his children in multiple sports, and serving the Town of Suffield as Moderator, Town Counsel, Officer of the Day for Memorial Day Observances, an EMT for Suffield Ambulance, and Chairman of the Board of Finance. Besides his parents Justin was predeceased by his wife, Elaine O'Brien and his brother, Thomas Donnelly. Justin took G-d's words to go forth and multiply to heart, leaving his children Justin (Jay), Stephen and his wife Denice, Sean and his wife Sheila, Cassandra, and her husband Sumant, Jacob, Ezekiel and his fiancé Kim, Hannah, John O'Brien and his wife Sara, Daniel O'Brien and his partner Meghan and Thomas O'Brien. Justin leaves his sister-in-law Rae Donnelly and her family. Justin also leaves his grandchildren Aidan, Hunter, and Justin (J.B.) Donnelly and Elaine O'Brien, and friends Malcolm (Mack) Higgins, with whom he talked to every day for the last thirty-five years, and Michael Bedus. Celia Moffie, mother of Justin's children and his best friend, will miss him dearly. Funeral and burial services will be private with full military honors. Friends are invited to sit Shiva at 500 Russell Avenue, Suffield, on Monday and Tuesday, January 8th and 9th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Justin would be honored to have donations made in his memory to Disabled War Veterans, 3725 Alexander Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 or Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, PO BOX 4224, New York, NY 10163. The Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home of Suffield is caring for the arrangements. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com

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Published by Hartford Courant on Jan. 7, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Justin Donnelly

Sponsored by the family.

24 Entries

Laura Webb

May 31, 2018

I am very saddened to have just found out about Justin's passing. Justin was a wonderful man. My condolences and prayers to his family and friends.

Monica Lafferty Harper

March 14, 2018

I send my sincere and terribly delayed condolences on Justin's passing. I first met Justin when I was a newly minted attorney and brashly walked into the Rome and Case Law offices in Bloomfield and asked the receptionist to speak to Attorney Donnelly. It was the start of a mentorship relationship par excellence. Justin encouraged me to perform at the highest level of my ability and fostered my devotion to the law. I appreciated his wise counsel and will greatly miss his incisiveness and good judgment.
Monica Lafferty Harper

February 9, 2018

Just found out of the passing of Justin. Our family is truly saddened and we send our heartfelt thoughts to your entire family at this extremely difficult time for you all. We absolutely enjoyed all of the sporting events that we attended with Justin to watch our kids in whatever sport it was that particular evening. May he rest in peace in heaven and always be remembered as such a kind and compassionate person by all those whose lives he touched.
The Duncan Family

Marsha Muir

February 7, 2018

Justin I just found out that God has taken you home. You had made life bearable at work in our last few years there. Have lots of lemon heads up with God. You will be missed dearly
Marsha M

Phil Dupuis

January 14, 2018

This is such sad news. I'll always remember Justin in the bleachers or leaning against the backstop at all the kids games. Can't remember him ever missing one. Sincere condolences to the family. Thanks for your service to our country and our town. Rest in peace.

The Dupuis family

January 9, 2018

We are very fond of Justin and his family, our kids grew up together and remain friends today. He was always genuine, honest and supportive to all of us. Will always remember how supportive he was of our kids, especially as we watched them and coached them in games, always supporting every refs call that was in Suffields favor and always disagreeing with every call that was not in Suffields favor, including some calls that were "abominable" Justin, rest in peace, you worked hard and gave so many good things that others will carry on. Respectfully, The Allen's

January 9, 2018

There seem to be no appropriate words to express my grief on learning of Justin's death. As time marches forward, we all move in different directions but the memories of working with Justin for many years will always be treasured in my heart. My prayers are with his dear family and may they feel God's peace and strength during this difficult time.

Marlene Scorzato & Family

January 8, 2018

To Justin's wonderful family , it was sad to hear from Wade about your dad's passing. We spent many many hours talking about you boys. and I was blessed to call him a friend for all of the years (2o+) we shared coffee before and after our meetings. His wisdom and intellect was so freely shared for all around him. He was a man's Man and always gave you advise to be a "good and loyal "person. Love God , family and Country , and he steered by his example. My prayers are with you all. God Bless. Keith Colli

Nelson Meredith

January 8, 2018

Justin was a coworker of mine and it was always a pleasure to work with him. I'll always remember what a gracious person he was. My deepest sympathy to his family.

Kaite Corda-Critton

January 8, 2018

We are sending prayers to the family; he will be missed by many. I have fond memories from North Pole Express that I will carry with me always.

With love,
Kaite Corda-Critton & family

Stew MacMillan

January 8, 2018

While I only knew Justin a few years while he worked at the railroad , he was a real class individual. I will remember him always and my deepest sympathy to his family.

Stanley Light

January 7, 2018

To the family of Justin Donnelly:

I was saddened to read of the passing of your beloved Justin. I never met the man, but I really wish I had. As a fellow lawyer, a fellow veteran, a fellow Jew, and a fellow dad, I am certain we would have had a lot to talk about.

Semper Fi, Justin. May your memory always be for a blessing.

Stanley R. Light, Esq.
Commander, Dept of Mass Jewish War Veterans
Commander, Springfield-Freedman Post 26
Jewish War Veterans

Alan Ullring

January 7, 2018

Justin was a special person and will be missed by many.

Dave Knox

January 7, 2018

My sincere condolences to the Donnelly family. I had the pleasure of knowing Justin professionally. I will miss his sense of humor and his direct no nonsense mannerisms. We enjoyed sharing stories of our children's accomplishments. Justin is proud of his family. Truly one of the good guys. God bless.

John Rush

January 7, 2018

It was with great sorrow that I learned of Justin's passing. We worked together at the Valley Railroad and being fellow Marines we had many conversations about the Marine Corp and our experiences. He truly exhibited the meaning of the phase: Once a Marine, always a Matrine. I looked forward the the days we would work the same shifts and I will truly miss him. Simper Fi Justin.

Jack Rush

Rich Salomon

January 7, 2018

I had the pleasure of training with and working with Jessie last season at the Essex Steam Train. He was a wonderful and modest person...never talking about his numerous accomplishments. His sense of humor was only one of his many good traits. We must have had a thousand laughs about the Tank Commander bumper sticker on the trunk of his car. My sincere condolences to all of your family. May you rest in the peace that you so well deserve ...

Rich Salomon

January 7, 2018

I had the pleasure of training and working with Jessie at the Essex Steam Train last season. I have never known anyone who worked harder....although I don't think that he had to. Also, he had a great sense of humor. We had a million laughs over the Tank Commander bumper sticker on his car. Rest In Peace Jessie. My sincere condolences to all of your family..

Daniel Rosenthal

January 7, 2018

Justin was an original member of the Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance back in 1977.
I Worked many Tuesday overnight shifts with him. I volunteered with many people over the years but I vividly remember our shifts together. When Justin came back to volunteer in Bloomfield a few years ago it gave me a chance reconnect with him. It was an honor and privilege to know him.

May his memory be a blessing.

Kathleen Mack

January 7, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with the Donnelly family. Justin was truly a wonderful father and friend. Running into Suffield Pizza on Thursday night (to pick up take out) and seeing The "Donnelly Clan" sharing and enjoying a meal together, always put a smile on my face. He was extremely proud of each and everyone of his children. My most sincere condolences.

Karen Frawley

January 7, 2018

As I read through tear filled eyes Jake's amazing and breathtaking tribute to his "Pops", there is no doubt the unconditional love this child of God, Cpt. Justin John Donnelly, gave touched and blessed the lives of so many. Cpt. Donnelly's beautiful children are a reflection of and a testimony to his never ending love. As Cpt. Donnelly continues his journey on the other side, may he be surrounded by God's light and filled with God's love; and may he rest in eternal peace. Amen.

Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home

January 7, 2018

With deepest sympathy during this time of difficulty.

John Wear

January 6, 2018

Justin was a very proud member of the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association. He participated in many of our biennial reunions. He always had something too to say about virtually any and all situations. He will be missed by his brother Marine Vietnam veterans. Semper Fidelis Justin. We'll see you at the guard shack in Heaven.

January 6, 2018

As a member of Ubcle Justin's past family, I want to express my deepest condolences to all families and friends who will miss him every day going forward. He was an inspiration to me as a child and I am sure he placed many good influences on his family moving forward. I loved Uncle Justin and hope he is pleased and blessed with his afterlife. I am praying for that on earth. Love to all. Karen McGrath

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