Warren Elliot KINGSBURY

KINGSBURY, Warren Elliot Warren Elliott Kingsbury, 86, of Berlin passed away suddenly Thursday (January 14, 2010). The former Mayor of Berlin was married 65 years to his high school sweetheart, Elsie Jugo Kingsbury. He was the son of George Elliott Kingsbury and Ethel Oquist Kingsbury. As a child, his strong commitment to community involvement began with his mother and the Salvation Army band. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the UConn Women's Basketball team. He thoroughly enjoyed political discussions, cooking for gatherings of family and friends, attempting golf and sharing stories. While traveling as a sales representative, restaurant to restaurant, he delighted in complimenting chefs and gathering their secrets of good dining. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army during World War II. He was employed for 35 years at North and Judd as manager of sales and operations and until this year with its successor Buckles International Inc. Daily he worked diligently on behalf of the New Britain Industrial Museum, having been known as Mr. New Britain for his astounding knowledge of the history of the Hardware Capitol of the world. He served as Mayor of Berlin, chairman of the school board, United Way campaign and the Republican Town Committee, deputy mayor, chairman of many political campaigns and currently a very active member of the Berlin Kiwanis Club. He was a corporator of the Klingberg Family Center, a member of the CT Breast Health Initiative serving as transportation chairman for the Race in the Park and was honored by the Greater New Britain Arts Alliance for recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of the arts and as Mr. Music as the oldest living band member of the original New Britain High School band with Doc Mirliani as band leader. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and community leader he understood what words like family, love, friendship, compassion and giving really mean and he lived his life to those high standards. He will be remembered for his accomplishments as mayor of Berlin and his willingness to work across party lines. Years after leaving office, he led the successful bipartisan campaign to preserve the council-manager form of government in Berlin, and researched and worked to establish a strong recycling program in the area, having visited a state of the art recycling facility in France. He was thrilled to have experienced a Berlin/New Britain football contest, saying that, either way, he wins. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to visit with family and friends worldwide. He will be remembered for his love of family and friends, as a devoted patriot, and a conservative American, a loving community activist with a strong commitment to our country and its future, with generosity beyond compare, for his long stories and for his great sense of humor. He was predeceased by a daughter, Phyllis Kingsbury and a brother, Walter (Buddy) Kingsbury. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind daughters, Diane (Mrs. Randy) Pulito of Naples, FL, Leslie Kingsbury (Mrs. Les Strong) of Manchester, Marie (Mrs. Patrick) Martin of Fort Myers, FL; and a son, Warren Jeffrey Kingsbury of Windsor Locks; grandchildren, Kenneth and Amy Catlin of Plantsville, Warren Catlin of Sarasota, FL, Darren and Jean Pulito of Moorestown, NJ, Allison and Jonathan Lubert of Philadelphia, PA, Joseph and Lauren Martin of Barrington, NH, Daniel Martin of Pittsburgh, PA, James Jeffrey Kingsbury and Christopher Douglas Kingsbury of Berlin, and their mother, Wendy Kingsbury, David and Cristina Strong of Virginia, Kristin and Reese Tingey of Coventry; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Lindsey Catlin, Jack and Brooks Pulito and Keeley Martin, Olivia and Angelica Strong, Connor and Kayla Tingey; nieces and nephews Randall, Beth and Emily Judd, Margery, Lee and Elizabeth Chase, Patty, Bob and Katie Bessie, Peter, Priscilla and Amy Humphrey, Laura Taylor, Ralph Jugo and Celeste (Mrs Donnie) Oliver; and a cousin, Elsie Johnson of Manchester. He was predeceased also by sisters-in-law Henrietta Jugo Judd, Phyllis Jugo Humphrey and Jessica Kennedy Jugo and brothers-in-law Clovis Jugo and Howard Humphrey. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 1 p.m. at Kensington Congregational Church, 312 Percival Avenue, Kensington. Calling hours are Monday 4-8 p.m. at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Britain Industrial Museum, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at www. carlsonfuneralhome.com.