James Patrick McNally Jr., fondly known by all as Jay, of Colchester, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on December 4th, 2023. He was 70 years old. Jay was born on February 24, 1953, in Hartford, CT. The son of the late James and Catherine (Wallace) McNally Sr., Jay grew up in East Hartford and graduated from Penney High School.  He married his beloved wife Michele “Shel-leigh” Fomento in March 1988.  The couple settled in Colchester where they built their home and raised their daughters. Jay was a dedicated and proud father attending all his girls’ skating competitions and cheering them on as their biggest fan.

For most of his career he was a self-employed carpenter. He spent his final working years employed by the Town of Vernon Board of Education as a maintainer. Jay enjoyed building and renovating homes and tending to his vegetable garden, to include sharing his harvests with neighbors and friends.  Many of those whom he loved to hunt and fish with remain his life-long friends. 

He is remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He will always be loved by his wife Shel-leigh McNally; his children Emily McNally (Kevin Campbell) of North Carolina, Erika McNally (Matt Buechel) of Colchester; granddaughter Harper Campbell; siblings Karen Jenkins of Manchester and Patti McNally of Glastonbury; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. A celebration of life with calling hours will be held at Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd. Colchester, on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 4:00-6:00PM.  Donations in Jay’s memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org To sign the online guest book or share a memory of Jay, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com 

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