John W. Honan

Longtime Parks & Recreation Employee

John W. “Jack” Honan, 57, of Newtown died unexpectedly July 28, at his home, following a brief illness. He was born in Danbury on November 11, 1951. He was a son of Jeanne (Craffey) Honan of Newtown and the late William A. Honan, Jr.

Mr Honan was a lifelong resident of Newtown, attended Newtown schools, and was a graduate of Newtown High School, Class of 1971.

For 34 years he was employed as a parks maintainer for the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department, until his retirement this past winter. A celebration of his service to the town was held this past May, at which time Jack’s Grove in Dickinson Memorial Park was dedicated in his honor.

Mr Honan was a member of the Shriners Car Club and was a collector of gadgets, tools, and children’s toys, which he lovingly distributed to his many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his mother, Mr Honan is survived by his brother Daniel Honan and his wife, Colleen, of Newtown; his six sisters, Joan Bohlin of Dennis, Mass., Maureen Honan of Torrington, Eleanor Callanan and her husband, John, of Burdett, N.Y., Patricia Carey and her husband, Thomas, of Westport, Rita Crana and her husband, Paul, of Danbury, and Bridget Loughney and her husband, Michael, of Hong Kong. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, two great-nephews, and a great-niece.

Friends may call at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, on Friday, July 31, from 4 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown, Saturday, August 1, at noon. Interment will follow in St Rose Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Park Gift Fund, c/o Newtown Parks and Recreation Department, 3 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee        July 31, 2009