Remembered by his expression, "It's great to be alive", it is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Coach Robert J. McKee, 95, at his home in Farmington, Monday, December 4, 2017. He was the beloved husband of the late Virginia (Chiesa) McKee, both formerly of West Hartford. Born in Prince Edward Island, Canada on February 14, 1922 he was the son of the late Richard and Blanche (Sozzi) McKee, he moved to Boston with his family at the age of eight. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and was discharged as a Captain. Coach graduated from Boston University, earning a Master's Degree. In 1948, Coach came to West Hartford to begin his career teaching and coaching at Hall High School. He was appointed the Head Coach for Football from 1951 to 1956 at Hall. In 1957, he moved over to Conard High School as a Physical Education teacher and the Head Football Coach. He remained there until his retirement in 1983. While at Conard, he also coached baseball and started the wrestling program. He was coach of the wrestling team for seven years and the baseball team from 1957- 1979. In 1968, he received the Coach of the Year Award and in 1982 he was inducted into the Connecticut Coaches Hall of Fame. The Conard High School Stadium now bears his name. Coach was a long standing member of the Northern CT Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. After retiring he turned his interest into fine arts painting, became a member of the West Hartford Art League. He became totally immersed in his new found passion after football (we know, hard to believe). He is survived by two daughters and his son-in-law, Deborah McKee Cersosimo and her husband, Robert of West Hartford and Cindy McKee of Newington; his three grandchildren, Matthew Cersosimo and his wife, Megan, his three great-grand children Brady, Caroline and Maggie of West Hartford; Brianne Cersosimo and her fiancé Jason Broesicke of Washington D.C. and Laurie Cersosimo and her wife Makaila of West Hartford; He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert N. Chiesa of Cheshire, CT, his niece Kathy Talbot and nephew Peter Chiesa. Deb, Rob and Cindy wish to extend their heartfelt thanks, love and appreciation to his wonderful caregiver, Amino Ali, for his kindness and unending care and compassion he gave their dad, Coach McKee. Burial will be private and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In Dad's memory, donations may be made to the Northern CT Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame or to McLean Hospice 75 Great Pond Road Simsbury, CT 06070 It was Dad's hope that all who knew him might now take the time to " perform a random act of kindness". He will be forever missed, never forgotten. We love you Bub, "SO LONG PAL" The Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Dec. 7, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert McKee

Sponsored by the family.

15 Entries

Shirley Kosiorek Rossano

January 28, 2018

I want to wish the McKee family my sincere condolences at the passing of a wonderful man. My husband, Joe, played baseball at the old Hall High 1950 - 1952 and we both had so much respect and admiration for him. I last saw him at my 50th class reunion 2003 and he told me Joe could always turn to the right better than to the left as the team's shortstop! I am writing this note from WI and just received the sad news from one of my classmates. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Simone le Coutre

December 22, 2017

To the family of Bob McKee,
I was a big fan of your dad's. I knew him when I taught for a few years at Conard and for many years afterwards when I worked at Hall. He was always such a gentleman. About 25 years ago, after I saw his paintings, I commissioned an art work. It's hanging in my living room over the mantle, a beautiful painting of my house with the deer and bird I asked him to put into the work. I look at it every day and think of your kind and loving father/grandfather.
Sincerely,
Simone Vrabel le Coutre

Rod Steier

December 13, 2017

Debbie, Coach, Coach Matt, Bri, Laurie & all

Coach McKee was a unique and wonderful man. He was tenacious and loving. He was hard and gentle. He is actually the person who inspired me to be a coach. I worked for him summers in Park & Rec (pre-Leisure Services) and he always would ask me why I played tennis and not baseball. He couldn't believe that someone's parents would forbid them from playing the all-American game. But most of all I remember the relationship that he had not just with his players, but with everyone who got close to him. Coach McKee is an inspiration and a great man.

December 13, 2017

Proud to say, "I played for this man and coached with him as well." In return he guided me, from afar, my entire career of teaching and coaching. Some of my fondest memories are of swinging into that crazy road/driveway to get to his house (one time on a motorcycle) just to "touch base." To see his paintings, to talk about so much. Football was just way to get to a young man's soul and he did that to many of us.

George McCombe
Georgetown, KY

Jimmy Johnson

James Johnson

December 12, 2017

To the McKee-Cersosimo Family:

The following link expresses my heartfelt condolences:

https://we-ha.com/posthumous-tribute-coach-bob-mckee/

Sincerely,

Jimmy Johnson

www.JamesAJohnsonEsq.com

Charlie Kidd

December 10, 2017

My sincere condolences to the entire McKee-Cersosimo family.

I will never forget Bob as my boss, a recreation supervisor, throughout the late 1960's. Bob would come by when Rob and I were
working, tell a joke, tell us not to work too hard, and we all laughed. He was a great coach and family man, a true legend who will be sorely missed.

Marty DiTuccio

December 9, 2017

I will always remember Coach McKee as my baseball coach and gym teacher during my years at Conard. As a current high school coach his class, dignity and support for all his players is something I try to emulate. I want to send my deepest condolences to his daughter Debbie who I graduated with and to her husband Matt who I taught with at Hall and Conard as well as the family. Marty DiTuccio

Ted and Bertha Calabrese

December 8, 2017

We are so very sorry to hear of the passing
Of Coach McKee. Our son Mark Calabrese
Passed March 2016 and all we could say
He will be so happy to see his coach
Entering thru the gates of heaven where
We are sure Mark would be waiting for
Him and who knows maybe even throwing
Him a football. Mark thought Coach walked
On water and Coach treated Mark with
Much respect. As the Calabrese family
We will miss the thought of him not being
Around will pray for him and all his love ones . God Bless!

Elaine Blumenthal

December 8, 2017

I am so saddened to hear of Coach's passing. My late husband Donald played for him at Conard from 1956-60 and kept in touch through the years. We enjoyed visiting with him in West Hartford whenever we returned to Connecticut. Coach always exhibited such warmth and genuine concern for his players... even when they became "old men"! I will continue to think of him often as I am proud to say we have one of his paintings of the Chieftain Territory hanging in our home. Coach was a man who taught his players more than football. Sending sincere condolences to his family and hoping you will find some comfort in the memories you have and in knowing how many lives he touched in such a profound, positive way.
Elaine Blumenthal

Ken Lipshez

December 8, 2017

It's with great sadness but deep admiration for a life well lived that I wish to pass along condolences. As treasurer/past president of the CT Sports Writers' Alliance, I take great pleasure that we honored Mr. McKee with a Gold Key Award. May God bless him and may all of us who hold scholastic sports dear reserve a place in our heart to honor his memory.

The Vigeant Family

December 8, 2017

We are so sorry to hear of Bub's passing, what an amazing man with such a legacy both in his work and his family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Xoxo

Curt Oberg

December 8, 2017

Debbie,Cindy,Coach ,

It is so sad but I am sure he is in a better place! He was without a doubt the most influential man in my life beside my Father and the reason I became a football coach at age 50!-"to try and provide the mentorship and guidance " he shared with me . I have a painting he did for me on my wall of the first Dartmouth football game. I am so fortunate to have had him in my life . Thanks for sharing him with us.

Fondly,

Curt Oberg Class of 1974

Jed Warner

December 7, 2017

I had the honor and privilege of knowing Coach McKee and the family, his humble but strong presence created a family and community that anyone would be proud to be part of. Playing sports with the family, his passion for sports and supporting the generations has never dulled. He created a legacy just by being himself is a true testament to his character and the family. He not only knew all our names and what we played, but his joy was in being part of our lives. Coach McKee helped me and others through tough times and we are all grateful for him. In the Coast Guard we say this for safe passage; fair winds and following seas. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Steve Mackay

December 7, 2017

Coach saw something in me that I will forever be grateful for. Before our senior year hell week I was sitting in front of the gym doors on that first morning when coach walked up and said, how do you feel about playing defensive line this year? Well, after playing backfield all my prior years of football, I was taken aback that he even knew my name let alone he had confidence in me to do something different. Despite my reservations, he saw something in me I didn't yet realize. That season was great! FIrst off, I played every game and got to start. The confidence, success, and feeling of accomplishment did so much for me personally, I just can cant thank him enough. Coach was tough, but wow - to this day I have never spoken to one individual who doesn't have the highest level of respect for him and gratitude for how he taught Us so many valuables lessons. We didn't realize then, but quickly appreciated it as we got older. Thank you Coach!!Here's to a life well lived, and a legacy that will last forever.With great appreciation,Steve Mackay #64, The Class of 77

December 7, 2017

PEACE TO A WONDERFUL CONARD MEMORY...........

Class of '59

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results