Obituary of John V. Talley

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, John V. Talley, on Sunday, March 29, 2020.   Jack was born on April 4, 1934 in Hartford, CT and initially resided in Torrington, CT.  He lived many years in Manchester, CT attending middle and high school, marrying, and raising his children.  He lived his retirement years in Bolton, CT before recently moving back to Manchester.

Jack graduated from Manchester High School in 1952 and embarked on a relatively brief career as a machinist at Pratt and Whitney. During this time, he met and married his sweetheart, Mary Jane.  Shortly thereafter, his three children – Jack Jr, Guy, and Cheri – were born and Jack soon discovered the burgeoning field of information technology or “data processing” as it was called at the time.  He quickly mastered the rapidly evolving programming languages and related technologies and worked his way up the ladder at Hartford Insurance Group and Hamilton Standard.  Jack then transitioned into a lengthy stint at the State of Connecticut in a technology management role working in conjunction with many state agencies prior to retiring in 1997.

Jack was very supportive of his children in the many activities they pursued growing up.  Whether it was playing catch in the backyard, taking the boys to Minnechaug Golf Course for 9 holes, driving Cheri to and from her dance lessons, or hauling the whole family to Hogback Mountain in the Pontiac Catalina weekend after weekend for a day of skiing, Jack was always “all in”.  Our favorite family memories were the two weeks we spent at West Dennis Beach in Cape Cod every summer.  In their retirement years, Jack and Mary Jane would spend an entire month on the Cape every summer and also travel far and wide.  Portugal, Spain, Ireland, the Caribbean, and Alaska were just several of the many destinations they enjoyed seeing together.  Jack loved a competitive game of poker and was passionate about his ability to enhance any dish with his unique (but always secret) blend of seasonings – particularly his famous spaghetti sauce which was a mainstay at nearly all family dinners and celebrations.

Jack is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Mary Jane (LaShay) Talley; his three children: Jack Talley Jr and his wife Anne, Guy Talley and his wife Shelly, and Cheri Bogner and her husband Robert; seven grandchildren: Christopher Talley, Andrew Talley, Kristen Talley and her fiancé Jorge Torres, Sean Talley and his wife Ellie, CPT Ryan Bogner and his wife Brienne, Nicholas Bogner, and Olivia Beausoleil and her husband Hayden; and five great grandchildren: Aryanna, Janaralys, Nora, Clara, and Laney.  He also leaves behind his sister-in-law June LaShay and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Victor and Olive Talley, his brother William Talley and sister Barbara Barton. 

The family would like to thank the Bolton and Manchester Fire Departments for their invaluable assistance over the last few years and Crestfield Rehabilitation Center for their care of Jack.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services will be private for the immediate family.  A celebration of Jack’s life will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or to the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department, 168 Bolton Center Road, Bolton, CT 06043.  To leave a memory or message of condolence, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.