Michael L. Donegan

Michael L. Donegan
DONEGAN, Michael Leo "Mike" Donegan, AlA, architect, age 86, of Stratford, CT, beloved husband of
Vincenza Cefaloni
Donegan, entered into eternal rest on February 2, 2026 with his loving family by his side. Mike was born on March 8, 1939 to the late Daniel J. Donegan and the late Helen Maloney Donegan of Bridgeport, CT. He had two brothers, Thomas of Southbury, and Mark of Fairfield; and two sisters, Rosemary Montecalvo of Chandler, AZ, and Virginia Baldino of Southbury. At 17, Mike joined the Marines and served with the 2nd Marine Division and the 2nd Marine Air Wing; he was honorably discharged in 1958. He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, Housatonic Detachment and the 2nd Marine Division Association. Mike met his wife, Vincenza Cefaloni, the light and love of his life, at age 14 shortly after she came to America from Italy. After an 8 year courtship, they were married in 1961. He received his college education at the University of Bridgeport majoring in Industrial Design. Mike was an emeritus member of the CT chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He was NCARB certified and licensed to practice in 13 States. Former civic memberships included the Bridgeport Lions Club, the St. Patrick's Scholarship Committee, the Gaelic American Club, the Marchegiana Society, the Lordship Fathers Club, and the Board of Directors of the Bridgeport PAL; he was the architect for the PAL's current Christmas Village. Mike was a past member of Mill River Country Club and the Country Club of Farmington. He was proud to be a citizen of both the United States and Ireland. Mike began his professional career in Bridgeport at Fletcher-Thompson (FT), architects and engineers, in 1961. He started as the print-boy and rose to become a Partner and Executive VP in 1987. In 1988, he opened FT's first CT branch office in Hartford. Work executed while at FT included the AlA award winning Milford City Hall, the Fairfield Police Headquarters, the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, the City Park mixed-use development in Hartford in a joint venture with MONY Life Insurance, the Thomas J. Dodd Archives Center at UCONN-Stors Campus, and many schools. In 1991, Mike became president of Westcott & Mapes, architects and engineers, in New Haven. In 1993, he opened his own office Donegan & Associates LLC in Stratford. Mike was best known for his Team approach in providing professional consulting services and registered the trademark "Team Architecture" with the U.S. Patent Office. This precept was the heart of his business plan. He believed a synergetic Team was more than the sum of its parts and had the immanent ability to outperform even its best individual member. Collaboration, via strategic alliances, in association with eminent experts enabled his Teams to deliver superior design services. Team successes in CT included the UCONN-Stamford Branch Downtown Campus; the Palace Theater restoration, the School for the Performing Arts, and the Rowland Government Office Building all in Waterbury, and many other public, commercial and educational buildings. other public, commercial and educational buildings. In 2009, Mike decided it was time to stop and smell the roses before it was too late, so he retired to be with his loved wife and family full time. The family was always Mike's top priority. Known as "Pa" to his grandchildren, he was happiest when he was with them. His wife, children and grandchildren were his blessings and the joys of his life. Mike is survived by his wife, Vincenza of 65 years, sons, Michael V. Donegan and wife, Tracey of Milford and Patrick J. Donegan and wife, Mary Ellen of Trumbull, one daughter, Stacey Donegan Agvent and husband, Gregory of Seabrook Island, SC, 9 loving grandchildren Erin and Sarah Donegan of Milford, Connor of Stamford, Brendan and wife Vanessa Pappagallo of South Boston, MA, Patrick of Boston, MA, Ryan and Kiera Donegan of Trumbull, and Matthew Agvent of Atlanta, GA, and Lindsay Agvent of Newport, RI, 7 nieces and 11 nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. officiated by Deacon Joseph Koletar at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main Street, Stratford. Interment will follow with full military honors at St. Michael's Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org). To celebrate his life, please visit us at www.galellofuneralhome.com