Donald J. DeBella
November 3, 1933 ~ August 26, 2016 (age 82) 82 Years OldShare using:
Donald J. DeBella, 82, of Mansfield Center, CT, beloved husband of Joan Knox DeBella, passed away on August 26, 2016 at home with family by his side. He was born in Hartford, CT on November 3, 1933, son of the late Joseph and Annette (Cagianello) DeBella. He graduated from William Hall High School in West Hartford where he was elected to their Football Hall of Fame. He attended Arnold College, The University of Bridgeport, and The University of Hartford. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 3 years (1953-1956) and was stationed in Japan. He played football for the Marines at Camp Lejeune, and he felt his greatest accomplishment was serving under "Chesty Puller”. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
Don and Joan raised their children on Tanglewood farm in Mansfield Center, since 1966. He worked 22 years for the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Game, Bureau of Law Enforcement. He earned the rank of Captain, overseeing the eastern half of the state, retiring in 1986. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 938, Willington, CSEA Chapter 408, The Mansfield Historical Society, The Mansfield Senior Center and an honorary member of Fin-Fur & Feather in Chaplin. Don was a renowned breeder of hunting dogs, mainly beagles and raccoon hounds, and was an avid fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years (married March 21, 1958); his daughter Candace Colonese of Ashford, CT; his son Robert DeBella of Willimantic, CT; his daughter, Kimberly Sharp and husband J.D. Sharp of VA. He also leaves his granddaughter, Shelby Colonese and boyfriend Zachary Cirelli; his grandson André DeBella, and three nephews, Thomas, Sean, and Michael Mulqueen of Madison, CT. As well as his dearest friends Kenny and Andrea Beaumont of Hampton, CT.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation, In Memory of Donald DeBella, to The Mansfield Historical Society: PO Box 145, Storrs, CT 06268, or to Saint Jude www.stjude.org.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT. The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to the service. To sign the online memorial book, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com