John Vincent "Jack" McDonnell

John Vincent “Jack” McDonnell, whose ever-present kindness blessed the lives of a proud family, peacefully entered into the presence of the Lord on Dec. 3, 2014 in Branford, CT at the age of 75. Jack, the shining example of a gentleman, was a loving and devoted husband. He is survived by his wife Paula Grant McDonnell. Jack and Paula, who resided both in Cheshire, Connecticut and Branford’s Hotchkiss Grove, celebrated fifty years of marriage this past summer. Jack was most proud of his three children and four grandchildren. They were a constant part of his daily life surrounding him with love and laughs. In Jack’s final days his daughters Alison Grant Velez (McDonnell) and Rebecca Grant Tessitore (McDonnell) joined Paula with comfort and care for Jack before he reunited with his son Sean and sister Ellen. Jack is survived by his daughter Alison, her husband Dalton Velez of Guilford, and cherished granddaughters Crystal and Gabriela. Jack also leaves behind his daughter Rebecca, her husband Joe Tessitore of Wallingford and Jack’s namesake grandson John Vincent and adored granddaughter Nicolina. Jack is predeceased by his son Sean Grant McDonnell, his sister Ellen (McDonnell) Ferguson of Branford, and his parents. Jack was the son of John and Marie (Fogarty) McDonnell of New Haven. Jack’s family includes loving sister-in-law Robin Cianciolo (Grant) and family of Larkspur, CA, Loyal brother-in-law’s Ray Ferguson and family of Branford, Gary Grant and family of Glastonbury, and Bruce Grant and family of Milford. He will be fondly remembered as Uncle Jack to many loving nieces and nephews. Jack was an alumnus both of Villanova University and Brown University. Born and raised in New Haven, he attended Notre Dame High School. A lifelong voracious reader he taught college English courses at both Brown and Quinnipiac University. He would help lead McDonnell’s Coffee, the family’s business legacy, for many years. He balanced his work with a commitment to service to others. Jack had saved lives as a trained paramedic and volunteer firefighter. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jack’s life of goodness with a Roman Catholic funeral mass at Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Road in Wallingford, CT on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 11:00am. Prior to mass the family will receive visitation from 9:30am until 10:30am at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT. Burial will follow at New Saint Bridget Cemetery in Cheshire. Donations in memory of Jack can be made to The Connecticut Hospice at hospice.com/donate/ways-to-support/ www.siskbrothers.com

John Vincent "Jack" McDonnell

April 5, 1939 - December 3, 2014