Donald G. Chanski

Donald George Chanski, 88, of Windham, CT passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025. He was born on January 3, 1937 at Windham Hospital to the late Adam and Emilia Chanski.

Donald enjoyed growing up on his family's farm in Lebanon, CT and later moved to Willimantic, where he met and married the love of his life, Rejeanne (Lizee). The two were married on September 30, 1961. During their nearly 64 years of marriage, they welcomed four children and ten grandchildren.

Donald was a graduate of Windham High School (1954) and the University of Hartford (1960). He had a successful career as an engineer, working in various roles for the City of Wethersfield, Electric Motive, AEG, and, finally, retiring from Cuno Incorporated. While working at Cuno, he and 4 colleagues were awarded a patent in 1996 for their design and invention of filter cells providing lifting means and related methods.

Though not a man of many words, Donald appreciated listening to, learning from, and understanding others' life stories. He would frequently provide family and friends with newspaper or magazine clippings that he thought they would enjoy based on a simple conversation or a known interest, demonstrating his quiet, yet thoughtful connection with others.

Donald enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including woodworking, bicycling and "putzing around" the house and any hardware or grocery store. In 2002, Donald and Rejeanne built their dream home, which Donald proudly designed himself using his creative and engineering-driven mind. Never one to sit still, Donald enjoyed riding his tractor, caring for family, their dogs, and friends (including being the "coffee guy" for his McDonald's friends each morning) and, most of all, going for walks, hand-in-hand, with Rejeanne.

Donald is survived by his wife, Rejeanne; his 4 children and their spouses Mark Chanski, Melissa (Chanski) Purvins, Mark Purvins, Dennis Chanski, Katie (Brady) Chanski, Jennifer (Chanski) Pigott and Miquel Pigott; his 10 grandchildren, Adam, Brittany, Benjamin, Laura, Kailee, Lizee, Maggie, Faith, Brendon and Evan; and his brother, Vernard Chanski and his wife, Martha Chanski. He is predeceased by his brother, Karl Chanski.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and patient care associates at both Windham Hospital and Hartford Hospital who provided thoughtful and comforting care.

A Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, 46 Valley Street, Willimantic, on Wednesday, September 3, at 10:00AM. A burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Road, Willimantic. Relatives and friends may visit at St. Mary Church on Wednesday from 9:00AM until the commencement of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com