John J. Vagell Jr

Dr. John J. Vagell Jr. M.D. of Willington - Born March 2, 1917 Garfield, New Jersey, died January 19, 2012. He was the son of John and Anna Vagell, deceased, of Garfield, N.J. John was married to the late Audrey LeBlanc-Smith, Royal Air Force WWII veteran. They were married April 25, 1946. They leave four children, Brian, Christine, Pamela and Jeffrey, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is survived by a brother Robert Vagell of Toms River, N.J., and was predeceased brother Edward Vagell of Juno Beach, Florida. Dr. Vagell did his pre-med studies at St. Bonaventure University, class of 39' receiving a BS degree cum Laude in Science. He also attended graduate school at Columbia University, N.Y. He received his M.D. from New York Medical College, New York City, in June 1951. He had a private practice in Saddle Brook, New Jersey 52-62, and then was a staff medical physician at UConn for six years in Storrs, Connecticut. He then worked as an emergency room physician for Manchester Memorial Hospital, Connecticut and continued on as Director of Medical Services for Alfred University, New York from 71-79'. He and his wife then returned to Connecticut to be closer to their children and finished work at Manchester Hospital ER. John retired full-time practice 1986, and did part-time professional medical work to 1998. John and family enjoyed 25 summers in the Pocono Mountains on Lake Wallenpaupack, from 59'-84'. John and Audrey enjoyed their winter home in Sebastian, Florida, where they had many happy years together. He loved boating, fishing, swimming and outdoor sports but most of all Big Band music, and Glen Miller's orchestra. He was a violinist and had his own dance band in high school where he graduated from Hackensack High, New Jersey. He was also a member of the St. Bonaventure University Glee Club and traveled throughout the northeast entertaining. He is a member of the St. Philip Roman Catholic Church of Ashford, Connecticut. During WWII he served as a communications officer in the United States Army Air Corps, stationed in England from 44'-46'.He held the rank of Captain then he finished his military duty with the Air Force Reserves 1957. John was a member of the American Legion, and AMA. John was active in the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of troop 114 of Rochelle Park, N.J., and he became an Eagle Scout and Junior Assistant Scout Master. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Protectors of Animals Association in your neighborhood, John loved dogs and all animals great and small. His family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, January 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, January 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip Church, 64 Pompey Hollow Rd. (Rte. 44) Ashford. Burial will follow in St. Philip Cemetery. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.