Jonathan Laurence Israel

Jonathan Laurence Israel, age 62, passed away on February 4, 2022, after valiantly battling cancer for two years. He is survived by his wife, Karen, to whom he was married for forty years, his two daughters, Rebecca and Jenna, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Lola Israel. Jonathan lived in West Hartford and served his community with distinction as a gastroenterologist for twenty-five years. In 1996, he was a founding partner of CGMA which later became Connecticut GI, the largest Gastroenterologist practice in Connecticut. As a physician, he specialized in liver disease, worked closely with Hartford Hospital's liver transplant center, was fondly remembered for traveling throughout much of Connecticut to treat his patients, and co-edited the book Diseases of the Liver and Bile Ducts. In 1991 he was honored with the receipt of the John C. Leanord Fellowship. Rather than attend Harvard University where he was accepted, Jonathan chose to accept a six-year medical program that combined his university studies at Rensellear Polytechnic Institute with Medical School at Albany Medical College. Jonathan grew up in Queens, NY. In High School, he received all-County recognition for his athletic prowess in Lacrosse, starred on his High School basketball team, and was the starting point guard for RPI during his two years there. Those that knew Jonathan held him in high esteem. He had a clear view of right and wrong and lived his life consistent with those convictions. Always incredibly reliable to his friends and devoted to his family, Jonathan surmounted without complaint obstacles that would leave most in despair. If ever any person has embodied the phrase "salt of the earth", it was Jonathan. The family held a private grave site funeral on February 7. A memorial service in West Hartford will be scheduled in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving donations to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at https://give2.chop.edu or the Colon Cancer Coalition at https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/memorials/JonathanIsrael.