Passed on Tuesday, 13 June 2017

The Rev. Donald R. Steinle, 77, former Executive Director of the Christian Activities Council in Hartford, passed away on June 13 at home surrounded by his family.

The Rev. Steinle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1965 from Yale University. The next year he earned a Master's Degree in Divinity from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, where, from 1966-1970, he served as the H. Richard Niebuhr Instructor in Practical Theology. The Rev. Steinle became an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ in 1970 and served as the Senior Pastor of First Congregational Church in Passaic, New Jersey from 1970-1981. He returned to Connecticut in 1981 to become Executive Director of the Christian Activities Council. In 2009 he joined Faith Congregational Church in Hartford, where he served as a Trustee and volunteered on the Pastoral Committee. In 2014, after his retirement from the CAC, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Hartford Seminary for his outstanding contributions to the Greater Hartford community. 

The Rev. Steinle leaves his wife Sharon C. Steinle and children Stacey Strand of East Norwalk and Marcus J. Steinle of Middletown; a godson, Allyn Eugene Burke of East Hartford and his children Alyana, Davyan, and Olyvia; a special nephew and surrogate son, Derrick Gibbs of Stamford; a brother, Jack Steinle, and his wife Mary of Bella Vista, AR; two grandchildren, Suzanne Goodnow and Daniel Goodnow; and six nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind countless colleagues, brethren clergy, church members, students, and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Rev. Steinle was predeceased by his brother Tom Steinle.

A funeral will take place on Wednesday, June 21, at Faith Congregational Church, 2030 Main St., Hartford with a viewing from 10-11 AM followed by a service at 11 AM.  A reception will immediately follow the service in the church hall. Burial will be private.A celebration of his life was held on June 20. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Christian Activities Council, 47 Vine St., Hartford, CT 06112. Services have been entrusted to Carmon Funeral Home of Windsor. 

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