John jack Colgan

John ""Jack"" Colgan, 76, of East Hartford and Pompano Beach, FL, loving husband of Grace (Tasillo) Colgan, peacefully passed away on Sunday (January 1, 2006) at his Florida home. Born in Hartford, a son of the late Hugh and Marie (LaFlamme) Colgan, he had resided in East Hartford for the past 35 years, while spending the winters in Florida for the past 12 years. He was a graduate of Cheshire Academy after attending Hartford Public High School where he was a three sports letterman in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. He was an all-state baseball player who was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was formerly employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co., East Hartford and for many years by the town of East Hartford Sanitation Department. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially watching his grandchildren and attending their athletic events. Jack was also an avid and loyal Boston Red Sox fan that had the privilege of watching them win the 2004 World Series. Besides his parents a brother, Richard J. Colgan of Newington, predeceased him. Besides his beloved wife of 54 years, Mr. Colgan is survived by his four loving children and their spouses, Sharon L. and Richard DeForge of Suffield, Kathleen ""Kathy"" and Christopher Kehoe of East Hartford, Cynthia ""Cindy"" and Steven Vaillancourt of East Hartford, John F. and Karen Colgan of Uncasville; a brother, Robert T. Colgan and his wife, Rose, of Newington; two sisters-in-law, Norma Colgan of Newington, and Carolyn Tasillo of West Hartford; six adored grandchildren, Jaime, Erica, Michael, Jonathan, Taylor, and Catherine; a special great-grandson, Devin; several relatives and friends in Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be Thursday, January 5, at 9 a.m. from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will be at the Veteran's Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, January 4, from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack's name may be made to Highwatch Farm, P.O. Box 607, 62 Carter Road, Kent, CT 06757. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.