John C. Gunning

GUNNING, John C. John C. "Jack" Gunning of West Hartford died peacefully on Saturday (March 29, 2008) at St. Francis Hospital with his family by his side. Born in Hartford on March 2, 1925, the son of the late Lt. Col. John S. and Ethel (Craig) Gunning, he was in the Class of 1939 at the South West School in Hartford and was a graduate of Wilbraham Academy in 1943. During World War II, he served in the 8th Air Force, 491st Bombardment Group (H) as a B-24 Co-pilot flying missions over Germany in his plane "The Homing Pigeon". On release from the Army Air Corps he entered Trinity College in Hartford graduating in 1949. He worked for the Ralph Love Agency in Hartford for one year and was recalled into the Air National Guard during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he joined the firm of Dow and Condon Commercial Realtors in Hartford. He served as President from 1975 until his retirement in 1991 after enjoying a long and fruitful career. During his career he served as President of the Society of Industrial Realtors, Kiwanis Club of Hartford, and the Trinity Club of Hartford, receiving its' Man of the Year Award in 1967. This annual award is presented by the Trinity Club of Hartford to a graduate of the College who has given outstanding service to the community or to the College. He or she must have graduated from Trinity, and reside within the Hartford area. In 1973, he was chosen by the National Alumni Association executive committee to receive the 150th Anniversary Award as an individual "who exemplifies the College's mission and upholds its proud tradition of scholarship, leadership, and innovation." In 1984 he was award the Alumni Medal for Excellence. This medal is awarded annually to alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions, to their communities, and to Trinity College. After retirement Jack remained active in local affairs; corporator St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, ADRC and Kiwanis. He was a former member of the Country Club of Farmington, the Golf Club of Avon, the City Club of Hartford and the Hartford Golf Club. He was proud to achieve a hole-in-one in March of 1993 at the Longleaf Golf and Country Club Charleston, South Carolina. Jack was a member of the American Legion Post #8 in good standing continuously for 62 years. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 50 years Charleen (Fresher) Gunning, his son Bryan F. Gunning of West Hartford, his daughter Kathleen A. Stoltze and her husband David of Brighton, Michigan, and his son John C. Gunning, Jr. and his wife Rosemary of Avon. The great joy of his life was his two granddaughters Kara C. and Megan J. Stoltze also of Brighton, Michigan. He also leaves his faithful K-9 friend, Abby. Friends are invited to join Jack's family at the celebration of his Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday April 3rd at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Timothy, 1116 North Main Street, West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours are Wednesday, April 2nd from 4-8 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Donations in his memory may be made to High Watch/Ed Clark Scholarship, PO Box 607, Kent, CT 06757. Jack was a Friend of Bill for 37 years. Online messages of remembrance may be made at www. molloyfuneralhome.com