Michael McGuiness

Mike, 71, left us to cross over the Rainbow Bridge, June 30, 2016 at home with his husband of 43 years, Dennis Conroy, at his side. After a successful war with brain cancer and an ongoing battle with lung and liver cancer, he lost to a blood clot to his heart. A heart that was giving and caring to others.

He was active in the East Hartford Democratic Town Committee, serving as District Chair for Districts 3 & 6. He was honored for his work in 1992 with an Official Citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly. In 1996 he was awarded the Frank Fitzgerald Distinguished Democrat Award.

Mike was a Lion for many years, serving as President of the East Hartford Lions in 1991-92. He served as Zone Chair for several years and had numerous positions on the District 23B State Council. He was a Melvin Joes Fellow, several times over and a CT Knight of the Blind.

All that Lions work lead him to his most fun activity being a Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Foster Family where he and Dennis raised close to a dozen puppies to be future guide dogs. The first puppy, Brandy, had a career change and lived with him until her death at 15 years old! KC the cat, who trained all the puppies to get along with cats, will join Brandy and greet Mike at the Rainbow Bridge.

Born December 8, 1944, Mike lived in East Hartford most of his life and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1962 after which he attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. He worked at Travelers for many year and retired from there. Not one to sit home he worked up to the end at Cigna in Bloomfield.

He was predeceased by his father and mother, Frank and Miriam McGuiness. Dad’s wives 2+3, Helen and Lucille also predeceased him as well as his sister, Deborah McGuiness Assaro.

Besides Dennis, he is survived in Florida by his brother Robert and his wife Nancy and their children: Amy, Lynn and Patricia. He also leaves a brother James in Florida and in CT a brother-in-law Tom Assaro and his twin children, Michael and Michelle.

Calling hours at D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford will be Tuesday, July 5th from 4 – 7 pm. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, July 6th at 10:30 am after which he will be buried at Silver Lane Cemetery, Silver Lane, East Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, Mike would be overjoyed if you continued his work by donating to Fidelco, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.