Donald J. Bushnell Jr, 67, passed away on January 8 with his family by his side. He was a band director and music educator for many years in public and private schools in Ohio, Maine and Connecticut. More recently, he enjoyed playing the trumpet, his primary instrument, at local restaurants and senior centers. His passion for music, from classical to jazz and beyond, endured throughout his life. For several years, he worked at Simkins Industries in New Haven in the quality control and sales divisions. In retirement, he worked at the Cross Sound Ferry out of New London. An avid boater, he took great pride in earning his Master 100 ton captain’s license from the US Coast Guard. However, his fondest captaining responsibilities were those while cruising the British Virgin Islands, the Florida Keys, Casco Bay (ME), Long Island Sound and North Pond (ME) with his closest friends and family. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 38 years, Lynn (Mosher); children Katie (Mike) McNutt, Hallowell, ME; Becca (Danny) Cain, Hamden, CT; and Stephen, Boston, MA.; and his sweet granddaughter, Tobin McNutt and his sweet grandson, Jackson Cain. He also leaves behind two sisters, Alicia (Paul) Larkin of East Sandwich, MA; and Janice Bushnell of Tequesta, FL.

The visiting hours will be Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, Washington Avenue, North Haven, CT. Family and friends are invited to go directly to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT on Saturday morning at 10:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial.  Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Donald may be made to the North Pond Association, (P.O. Box 44, Smithfield, ME 04978), whose goals to protect the lake meant so much to him.