John Michael Andreini of Dover, Massachusetts and Glastonbury, Connecticut passed away on February 19, 2026 surrounded by family. He is survived by his loving wife Laura Kunkemueller; his daughter Jordan Andreini; his son Michael, daughter-in-law Kristen and newborn grandson Roman; his son David; his sister and brother-in-law Joan and Rick Marino and his chocolate lab, Theo.
John was born on December 10, 1949, to Geno and Lea Andreini, grew up in Manchester, Connecticut and graduated from East Catholic High School.
A proud member of the Long Gray Line, John graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1971. While at West Point, John was elected Company C-1’s Honor Committee Representative for three straight years, a measure of the respect and trust his classmates had for him. He also played Rugby and was a member of the Fine Arts Forum. Most classmates knew him as “Kahuna”, a nickname that persisted to the present.
After graduation, John was commissioned an officer in the Field Artillery serving initially at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Lewis, Washington. He became a Rotary Wing Pilot qualified to fly UH-1H and OH-58 helicopters. He also qualified as an Instrument Check Pilot, due to his significant aviation skills. He served in the Republic of Korea as a Platoon Leader and Operations Officer for an Air Assault Helicopter Company. His advanced qualifications resulted in the assignment of flight missions in support of troops serving along the demilitarized zone (DMZ).
The Academy and his classmates remained important to John throughout his life. An avid Army football fan, he attended many home games and over 30 Army-Navy games. He participated in many alumni golf outings and had a special passion for the Class of 1971 Annual Golf Shootout.
After leaving the Army in 1976, John attended University of Connecticut Law School where he was the President of the Student Bar Association and a Law School Foundation Prize award winner.
He joined the Legal Aid Society of Hartford County as a staff attorney working on civil rights actions and advocating for the passage of the domestic violence civil restraining orders statute. As a Public Defender, he began his defense of battered women, a practice that continued throughout his career.
In 1984, John joined Fazzano and Dubay as an Associate. He and Kevin Dubay became partners in 1985. In 2000, he started his own firm specializing in criminal defense, family law and personal injury; he tried cases in all Connecticut Courts, the U.S. District Court and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. John believed that for the judicial system to work, there must be equal strength on both sides. His mission was to bring full strength and expertise to the side he represented.
For the last 16 years, John shared office space with T.J. Donohue and Bob Killian. Along with Dave Mester and Jim Pomeranz, they became the “Lunch Bunch” commanding daily tables at Allegro’s and later, at Village Pizza.
John had a talent for connecting with and counseling young people. Whether they were clients or friends, he provided a sounding board, advice if requested, acceptance and humor. He was particularly good at listening and clarifying options for future action.
He will be remembered as a fun, imaginative, creative, supportive and loving person open to new ideas and constantly learning about the world around him. He could often be found laughing and visiting with friends, discussing pop culture with others in the know, and playing with Theo. He is greatly missed.
An inurnment will take place at the United States Military Academy Cemetery at West Point later this year. Details will be posted on the West Point website.
Memorial donations can be made to The West Point Superintendent's Fund (Superintendent’s Unrestricted Endowment & Fund – West Point Ready ) or HARC, Inc., Hartford, CT (Disability Services and Programs | Hartford, CT | Harc ).