George W. Agnelli Sr.

1930 - 2018

George W. Agnelli, Sr., 88, of East Hartford, loving husband of 54 years of Eleanor (Chenette) Agnelli, died unexpectedly on Tuesday (October 30, 2018) after a brief courageous battle with leukemia. Born in East Hartford on Belden Street on May 27, 1930, a son of the late Felix and Virginia (DeRobertis) Agnelli, he had been a life-long resident of East Hartford. George was a graduate of East Hartford High School, Class of 1947 and attended Accutron Watch School and Hamilton Watch Schools. George began his professional career at J.H. Anderson Jewelers, Main Street, East Hartford at the age of fourteen. He later became the Owner and Operator of the jewelry store and had maintained that role until his death. It was his love of making model airplanes that brought him to Anderson Jewelers. After working on his parents fruit orchard on McKee Street in East Hartford, he would walk to Anderson Jewelers and buy the balsa wood needed to build his airplanes. George took great pride in his work and was passionate about watchmaking and was devoted to his jewelry store providing the best customer service to all who chose to shop there. George was a proud member of the East Hartford Rotary Club for over 50 years where he served as Vice President and President. He was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Award three times for his hard work, dedication, and generosity to the community, and as a leading force to every fund raising event sponsored by the Rotary. George was known as the "King" of Duck Race ticket sales and other raffles. He was also a member and founding father of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus-Rev. J.C. Martin Council #3901 in East Hartford. A devout Catholic, George was also a communicant and supporter of St. Christopher Church, East Hartford. George was a long-time avid golfer, and loved sports cars and always owned one or two. He was a member of the former Valley Sports Car Club in Springfield. He also loved family gatherings, parties, and parades. George enjoyed his vacation trips with his wife and family and spending time together down at the Connecticut shoreline. George will be most remembered for being kind and compassionate to all he met, and having a joke ready at his fingertips always with a twinkle in his eye. Along with his beloved wife Eleanor, George is survived by a son, George W. Agnelli, Jr. of East Harford; two daughters, Caroline Connors and her husband, Christopher, of Glastonbury, Melissa Rondeau and her husband, Michael, of Norwich; six adored grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, Benjamin, and Olivia Agnelli, Zachary and Rebecca Connors. He also leaves behind, a sister-in-law, Louise Blaschke of San Juan Capistrano, CA; two brothers-in-law, Francis Chenette and his wife, Pauline, of Albuquerque, NM, Paul Chenette and his wife, Elizabeth, of Corte Madera, CA; many cousins and friends, especially Theresa (Roggi) Rittlinger who he loved like a sister and her husband Stephen, Francis and Barbara DeRobertis, Robert and Cathy Vachelli, Thomas and Jane DiCioccio, as well as several dedicated employees who he considered family, especially Errol Kelly. In addition to his parents, George was predeceased by dear friends who started his career, Viola (Chapman) and John Herbert "Andy" Anderson; and two brothers-in-law, Phillip Chenette of Newport News, VA, John Chenette of Wakefield, RI. Funeral service will be Monday (November 5th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at St. Christopher campus of St. Edmund Campion parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. (George's family request that everyone please go directly to the church on Monday morning). Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, (Section E-Extension), Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. George's family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday (November 4th) from 1 – 5 pm at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in George's name may be made to the East Hartford Rotary Club Special Projects, P.O. Box 380035, East Hartford, CT 06138-0035. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.