William H. Connole, Jr.

Torrington-William H. “Bill” Connole, Jr., 86, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington. He was the beloved husband of 57 years of the late Mary Patrice (O’Meara) Connole.

        Mr. Connole was born in Winsted on April 4, 1937, son of the late William H. Connole, Sr., and Mary (Zompro) Connole, and had been a lifelong area resident. Mr. Connole was a graduate of St. Anthony School and Gilbert High School, Winsted. He was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving for four years. Mr. Connole was a retired Assistant Vice President of Manufacturing at Hitchcock Furniture Co., retiring with over 20 years of service. Upon leaving Hitchcock he successfully started Connole Building and Remodeling where he had many lifelong customers and cherished friendships with other contractors and city employees. He was a member of the Torrington Lodge of Elks, The Sons of Italy, and a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Torrington. Mr. Connole enjoyed woodworking, furniture making, and taking trips to the Casino. Bill immensely enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, having wonderful times in Aruba where he met and became friends with people from around the country and Canada, considering them family. Bill was an avid news consumer and loved following the UConn Basketball teams. He loved his family, work and people. He possessed a gift for being able to strike up a conversation by finding common ground with anyone he met.

        Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Bakutis and her husband, Michael, and Elizabeth “Beth” Pond and her husband, William, all of New Hartford; a grandson, Michael Bakutis of New Hartford; a sister, Katherine Yacovino and her husband, Michael, of FL; four brothers, Thomas Connole and his wife, Lois, of VA, Paul Connole and his wife, Ginger, of OR, Theodore Connole of Torrington, and David Connole of Bristol; good friend and caregiver, Edward Darko; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, John Connole, Donald Connole, and Dennis Connole.

        The family would like to thank the gracious and caring staff from the Emergency Department and ICU at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

        Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 10:00a.m. from Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington, to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main St., Torrington, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00a.m. Burial will follow in New St. Francis Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call Monday, February 19, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home.

        Memorial contributions may be made to Bill’s fondest charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/donate).

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