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Jonathan Best Obituary
Best, Jonathan Best, age 62, of Stratford, beloved husband of Donna Malino Best, passed away suddenly at Milford Hospital on July 27, 2017. Jonathan was born on October 9, 1954 in Manhattan, New York and was the son of the late David and Judith Best. Jonathan has 44 years of experience providing services, management, consulting and education and training in public safety and emergency management, beginning as a corpsman and corpsman supervisor in the New York City Emergency Medical Service System. He was employed by the Joint Hospital Planning Council of Bridgeport in the Emergency Medical Services Division, City of Bridgeport as Director of Emergency Services, Fire Chief of the Town of Fairfield, Rollins Hudig Hall/Aon Corporation as Risk Control Consultant, Transcare NY as Director of Risk Management and Ambulance Operations, Connecticut Limousine as Director of Safety Fleet Services and Administration, Regional Medical Transport of NYC as Senior Vice President, Westchester EMS Stellaris Health System as Executive Director, and currently was employed by the State of Connecticut as the Director of Public Health Preparedness and Response. Jonathan received the Grand Cordon Citation / Meritorious Service Medal for command and rescue operation L'Ambiance Building Collapse in Bridgeport, EMT/Paramedic of the year by the Emergency Medical Services Magazine, 20 year service award by the National Ski Patrol System, service award for serving as National President from 1994 to 1997 by the National Association of EMT's and many more awards and citations. He held numerous certifications in emergency management both as a practitioner and as an instructor of other practitioners. In addition to his beloved wife Donna of 27 years, Jonathan is also survived by loving children, Alan Pierce and wife Alexandra of Stratford, Jennifer Frioni and husband David of Wallingford, Jillian O'Connor and husband Patrick of Stratford, Daniel Best and wife Molly of New Jersey, eight grandchildren, Jack, Kate, Nathan, Sarah, Stella, Lukas, Eli, Kaylee, one sister, Dinah Rader and husband Neil of NY, two nephews, L.J and Benjamin, and mother-in-law, Helen Malino. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main Street, Stratford. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery Stratford. Friends may call on Monday, July 31, 2017 at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. To celebrate a life, please visit us at www.galellofuneralhome.com
- A Legacy of Compassion -
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Memories and Condolences
for Jonathan Best
Aileen Marsh
August 4, 2017
The world has lost a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Donna.
Kathy Gearing
August 2, 2017
So sorry to hear this. He taught the EMS class years ago that I was fortunate enough to participate in. What a great teacher, a smart man and a caring member of the EMS community. God bless.
Kim Gregg
August 2, 2017
Dear Donna and family,
So sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers.
Kathleen Agid
August 1, 2017
Jon's dedication was admirable and motivating. I enjoyed strategic EM conversations with him. He will be missed and always remembered. Prayers for his family during this difficult time and huge loss. Kathleen at Higgins.
Stan and Norine Benedetto
August 1, 2017
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the entire Best family. He was a frequent visitor at our restaurants, Bun and Burger and Blue Point Grill. He was wonderful and highly intelligent man who was dedicated to the welfare of society and cared deeply about his family. He will be sorely missed and again we are so sorry about his passing.
Frank Recupido
August 1, 2017
My condolences, I have many fond memories of my time with Stratford EMS and the professionalism and humor Jon provided.
Carol Tibor, RN
July 31, 2017
Dear Donna and family,
So sorry to hear of Jon's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. He was a great leader, instructor, and friend. He truly was an icon in the EMS world. No one can even come close to the legacy he built. My deepest sympathy to the entire family.
Christopher Rosiak
July 31, 2017
Hearing of John's sudden passing made me feel sad. I know he's looking down on you all from Heaven. He was a genuine good hearted man with lots of talent and love to give. Prayers to you all in this difficult time.
Father Dan Kennelly
July 31, 2017
Dear Donna and Family...
Weep a few quiet tears...
Laugh deeply and loudly...
And celebrate the memory of a life well lived...
And of a man well loved!
Blessings and prayers...
July 31, 2017
Dear Donna,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Jon's passing. I was a better EMT because of Jon.
Sincerely,
Lil Gombar
fred Rosen
July 31, 2017
Jon was a great guy!! A real mensch. They don't make people like him anymore!!
Kathy Britos-Swain
July 31, 2017
To the Best family,
Please accept our family's deepest condolences. I will miss Jon and his anecdotes, stories and shared experiences. I'm shocked and saddened, and prayers to your entire family for peace and support. He has done so much for the State of CT, am proud to have been his friend. God bless you,
Kathy
Rick Mathews
July 31, 2017
Jonathan was not only a colleague but a friend. I will miss him dearly.
New England Uniform Company
July 31, 2017
Donna and Family....We are so sorry to hear of Jon's passing. It was such a pleasure to deal with you and Jon over the years in providing uniforms and accessories to assist you with your professional images. You have both been such a credit to your communities, and it's hard to believe that Jon has finished his work so soon. We extend our heartfelt condolences.
July 31, 2017
To the Best Family, my condolences.
Jon will truly be missed.
Brenda L. West
Michael Pekar
July 31, 2017
My heart aches that I can not be with my EMS family at this time.
PAT Kronenberg
July 31, 2017
Donna and family,
Im so sorry to read about Jonathans passing. He was such a good and compassionate man. I have so many good memories of both of you. Know that all of you are in my prayers.
Barbara Hardy
July 31, 2017
To the Best Family,
I am also sadden by Jon's passing. I have had the pleasure of working with Jon here at DPH. Jon will truly be missed. My prayers are with you all.
Diane Puterski
July 31, 2017
Donna,
So very sorry to learn of the loss of your beloved husband. I only knew him a little, but thought very highly of him. I know how much you both love your family, and I know you will miss him very much. It was much to soon to say goodbye. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Maggie Czyrko-Nowicki
July 31, 2017
To the family of Jon.
Please accept my condolences for the loss of you husband, father, grandfather. Our hearts are full of sadness for your loss. You all are in my prayers.
July 31, 2017
Sorry to hear about John have a lot of great memories of him through the years My thoughts and prayers are with him and the family Paul VanStone
Kim Martone
July 31, 2017
John was a wonderful co-worker and friend. His joy of life and wisdom will never be forgotten. As he would say often "I am living the dream" and whatever occurred it was "Life's rich pageant" . RIP John
Susan Yurasevecz
July 31, 2017
I am so deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Jon. We sat on several work committees together and he will most definitely be missed. May you be gifted with grace as you survive this loss.
Pamela Hodge
July 31, 2017
My sincerest condolences to the entire Best family.
Carline Clanton-Watkins
July 31, 2017
My condolences to the Best family. Sorry for loss.
michael rietano
July 31, 2017
Donna I am so sorry for your loss. I admired Jon a great deal and appreciate my time working closely with him and you for that period of time when I was just starting out. Our loss and the Lords gain.
John and Donna Goll
July 30, 2017
We are so very sorry to learn of John's passing,our thought's and prayer's are with Donna and John's family,he was a very special person.
Francis Sperl
July 30, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Fred DeVietro
July 30, 2017
Saying that John was one of the good ones and that he will be missed, while very true just does not do justice to the type of person he was. John was one of the best EMS instructors I ever had the pleasure of learning from. His work with the Joint Hospital Planning Council of Bridgeport, as well as the tremendous amount of time and effort he devoted to leading the operations down at the L'Ambiance Building Collapse also in Bridgeport. Needless to say that I was shocked to learn of his passing at such an early age. RIP John..
July 30, 2017
My condolences to Jonathon's sister and my dear friend, Dinah, who cared deeply for her older brother. I also extend my deepest sympathies to Donna and Jill.
Rose Gill
Alan Feldman
July 30, 2017
Shocked and deeply saddened on hearing this news. My thoughts are with you Donna and the family.
Alan Feldman
Barbara Lenches
July 30, 2017
Donna and Family- we are saddened by your beloved husband and fathers death, please know that he was thought of very fondly, for his outstanding commitment to emergency service.
he will be remembered for this tremendous commitment.
With heartfelt sympathy and prayers-
Andras & Barbara Lenches
Gerry Stopa
July 30, 2017
Sorry to hear of Jon passing prayers for his family
mary ryan
July 29, 2017
Donna and family--I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Jon's passing. I will always remember him as one of the best teachers I ever worked with. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
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