David C. Burrell

Columbia - David C. Burrell, 57, of Columbia, passed away at Backus Hospital May 7, 2024, after a long illness. He was born in Hartford in 1967, to John Burrell of Columbia and the late Agnes Maloney of Mystic. David lived a life of intellectual curiosity, filled with a love for music and sensitivity to the natural world.

A 1985 graduate of Fitch Senior High School, David furthered his education at Mitchell College for two years, then at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with top grades. His love for language was only matched by his commitment to the environment, leading him to a 25-year career as the assistant laboratory director of Columbia Environmental Laboratory.

David's talent extended beyond the laboratory to the strings of a guitar. A gifted musician, he played lead guitar in his band Backstage Pass, which played at local venues throughout the late 1980s, and early 1990s. He found solace and joy in music, especially in Led Zeppelin, Rush, Van Halen, and in particular, Eddie's soaring guitar solos. An avid lover of the outdoors, David was happiest when immersed in the beauty of nature, identifying various flora and fauna with an expert eye and expressing his deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things.

David leaves behind a loving and devoted family who cared for him throughout his illness. Besides his father John, he leaves his older sister Diana Burrell of Mystic; and younger brothers, Matthew Burrell and his wife Katie Taibi of Chester, Mass., and Kevin Burrell and his wife Jenny of Coventry. He will be missed by his nephews and nieces: Oliver, Atlas, Rye, Selene and Phoebe; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be especially missed by his beloved cat, Slinky aka Booger.

A private graveside service will be held at the New Willimantic Cemetery in Willimantic. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a nature preserve, environmental charity, or animal shelter to honor David's lifelong love of the natural world. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.