Jerome Francis Horan

HORAN, Jerome Francis – died on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 with his family by his side at the West Haven Veterans Hospital. He was 59 years old. Jerry was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer 10 months ago, which he fought bravely.

Jerry was the son of Elizabeth M. (Horvath) Horan of South Windsor (previously Vernon) and the late Edward B. Horan. He was born and raised in Hartford attending Our Lady of Sorrows School and graduating from HPHS. Upon graduation, he entered the US Air Force where he served for six years. Upon his release, he then became a cross-country free-lance truck driver.

He joined the CT National Guard and served with them for the past 17 years, retiring with the rank of Sargent. On Sunday, June 28, he was able to attend his retirement ceremony from the Guard at the VA Hospital with his family and fellow guardsmen/women in attendance. For Jerry this was a very special event.

During his service, he was deployed to “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (Iraq) from June 2006 to September 2007 and to “Operation Enduring Freedom” (Afghanistan) from September 2012 to September 2013, both with the 1048th Transportation Company. He also supported the CT State Emergency Relief efforts for Tropical Strom Irene (2011) and Winter Storm Alfred (2011).

Jerry’s pastimes included reading, specifically, histories of the military. He also enjoyed watching programs related to nature, animals, and the earth.

Jerry is survived by his mother Elizabeth, his brothers Roger (Gail) Horan of Vernon, Edward (Eden) Horan of Torrington and his sisters, Karen (Jim) McWalter of Vernon, and Andrea Horan of New Jersey. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Gregg, Carrie, Jonathan, Samantha and Christopher and several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Edward, brother William J. Horvath and his nephew, Anthony M. Pignotti, III of New Jersey.

The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Sargent Eduardo Foster for his help over the past months. Our sincere thanks go out to all the doctors, nursing staff, volunteer staff at the West Haven VA Hospital on T3 West and the staff at the Smilow Cancer Center. Special thanks to Drs. Bindra and Becker and Jeannie Kluytenaar, at Smilow Cancer Center and Mary Lilley, Dr. Jan Clarke and Johnnie Langella at West Haven VA. We cannot forget all of Jerry’s fellow guardsmen/women who stopped by to see him daily, made his days worthwhile, kept him smiling and kept the Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee coming!

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, July 7, from 4:00 – 8:00p.m. at the Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, CT. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30AM, at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 10 Elm St. in Middletown, CT on Wednesday, July 8th, please meet directly at the church. Burial to follow at the Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane in Middletown, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jerry’s name to the following; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; or to a military charity of the donor’s choice.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com