This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Anthony Donlan died June 25. He was born on June 6, 1929, in New Haven to the late Clara Soreca and Bernard Donlan. Anthony lived in New Haven the majority of his childhood and graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1948. After graduating from high school, he worked at Winchester Firearms in New Haven. While working at Winchester, he put himself through college graduating from The New Haven State Teachers College (Southern Connecticut State University) in 1959 with a bachelor of science degree. After graduating from The New Haven State Teachers College, he began a 30-year career as a classroom teacher in East Haven. On Aug. 7, 1966, he married Marilyn Marie Romano. After he married Marilyn, they bought a house in West Haven and later moved to Guilford where he primarily lived until his passing.

Anthony received his master’s degree in history and he was very proud of his master’s thesis on the “Rise of The Sleeping Giant China.” ABD was a visionary, fascinated with world history, and very wise orator to all who would listen. He loved all cultures, he was a fantastic artist and writer, and an avid reader of history books, biographies, and murder mysteries. His children, Tim and Melissa, can win rounds of Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy if it has anything to do with world history.

He enjoyed hiking and was an avid biker, starting to ride completely in his mid-50’s. Proving you’re never too old and it’s never too late to start something new. He was a history buff and enjoyed documentaries about WWII and always kept up on current events as well as the most recent Peanuts comic strip. In addition, he liked old-fashioned cars from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s and had several models around the house that he put together. His favorite movie was Casablanca and his favorite singer was Frank Sinatra. He always lived his life dancing and singing the words of Frank Sinatra’s song “The Best is Yet To Come.”

He was a big animal lover and loved our family dachshund Schultz as well as the several kitties we had over the years. Over the last twelve years, he took a liking to our neighbor’s cat Abby whom we affectionately named “Neighbor Kitty.” In the final weeks of his life, Neighbor Kitty came over the house and spent some quality time with him by sleeping on his bed with him and providing him comfort.

Anthony was predeceased by his wife Marilyn. He is survived by two children, Tim Donlan of Guilford and Melissa Anne Donlan of Madison and her husband and two sons (Ryan and Sean). After Marilyn’s passing, Anthony continued to live and love and married Barbara Haverly (his high school sweetheart) and enjoyed many years traveling with her and opening his arms to Barbara’s children, Pam, Karen, and Jim, their spouses, and grandchildren.

Friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on Wednesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow Mass in St. George Cemetery, Hubbard Road, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.