James Joseph O’Halloran III, D.O., 65, passed away on November 24, 2023, in Ansonia, CT.
James was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1957, in Danbury, CT, as the oldest of five siblings of the late James “Jim” O’Halloran Jr. and Marilyn “Lynn” (Nardello) O’Halloran.
James was raised in Wilton, CT and graduated from Wilton High School. He studied biology at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and went on to earn his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. James was a believer in the Jesuit education and was passionate about lifelong learning, from science, history, philosophy to literature.
A dedicated physician for 37 years, Dr. O’Halloran found joy in his career by building bonds with his patients and continuously studying the practice of medicine. He most recently worked at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center in Ansonia, CT and served as Infectious Disease Director at Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington. From 1999 to 2015, Dr. O’Halloran spent the majority of his career as a physician at the University of Connecticut Correctional Managed Health Care where he cared for inmates. Dr. O’Halloran built and ran his own private practice for internal medicine, infectious disease and travel medicine in Torrington, CT from 1992 to 2006. He also enjoyed sharing his knowledge with students by teaching at the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University and Yale University as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor.
James was proud of his Italian and Irish roots and enjoyed cooking family recipes, particularly ones passed down from his Italian side. He was an avid reader, with a special interest in history and science fiction as well as Shakespearean plays. He enjoyed swimming, fishing, gardening, raising his children, taking care of his dogs, and accurately predicting the ending of movies and television shows. He loved Star Trek and other science fiction films, but his favorite movie was The Godfather. He appreciated music, including Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, and The Cars. He spent time with his extended family at his parents’ beach home in Clinton, CT, Stratton Mountain in Vermont, as well as the homes of his siblings and in-laws.
James was the husband of Bernadette O’Halloran for 29 years. He is survived by his children, Caitlin O’Halloran, Brandon O’Halloran, Kelly O’Halloran and son-in-law, Tom Owens, as well as his siblings, Cathy O’Halloran, Mark O’Halloran, Kevin O’Halloran and Susan Rockett. In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by his sister, Mary O’Halloran; his maternal grandparents, James “Jimmy” and Winifred “Winnie” Nardello; his paternal grandparents, James and Alice Gillespie O’Halloran and his maternal great aunt, Lucy Nardello.
Calling hours will be Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck, CT. A funeral service will begin at 10:30am at the funeral home and burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck, CT. To reflect his years of service in the healthcare field and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to www.amfar.org, a foundation for AIDS research and HIV prevention; or to www.obesity.org, a society focused on obesity science, treatment and prevention.
