Jeffrey R. Digel

October 18, 2017

Jeffery (Jeff) Robert Digel began his next adventure on October 18, 2017, in Hartford, Connecticut. He was born in Rantoul, Illinois on March 29, 1956, the first of Bob and Shirley Digel’s four children, and acquired his love for the outdoors growing up in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Jeff completed his undergraduate studies at Middlebury College and obtained a Master’s degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He spent most of his business career in real estate finance and development, starting at Aetna before serving as a founding member, leader, and mentor at both iStar Financial in New York City and Figure Eight Properties in West Hartford. Real estate appealed to Jeff because it combined his interests in architecture, finance, geography and economics. Jeff had a wonderful sense of fun and adventure. He was always in search of his next activity, which manifested itself in a broad array of interests including skiing, biking, sailing, golfing, hiking, hunting, and travel. In the rare event a friend or family member was going on an adventure that Jeff wasn’t already leading, he immediately joined in. He was also an enthusiastic learner who always had a book at hand, typically involving American history or politics. He was active in his community as a philanthropist. Notably, he was the co-founder and first chairman of the board of Covenant Preparatory School, an independent, interfaith, tuition-free middle school for boys from under-served families in the Hartford area. He also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations including: Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford County Habitat for Humanity, and Achievement First Hartford Academy. Jeff loved people and quickly endeared himself to them. He was an empathetic listener who truly cared about everyone he met and had countless dear friends. Most of all, Jeff loved, and was loved by, his family. They shared amazing times together that will never be forgotten: ski weeks, family holidays, summer vacations and spontaneous outings. No one could ask for a better husband, father, son, brother, or friend. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, his sons Sam and his wife Anna, Ben, his mother Shirley, and siblings Marty and his wife Debbie, Peter and his wife Pam, Julie and her husband Brian. Jeff will be dearly missed by his family and friends, who could not be more thankful for the compassionate care he received at Hartford Hospital. A Funeral Mass in celebration of his life will be held at the Church of Saint Peter Claver, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford, at 11 AM on Saturday, October 21st. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Covenant Preparatory School, 135 Broad St., Hartford, CT 06105, to help create an endowment fund in Jeff’s name. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com