Jerry Richard Canders

Jerry Richard Canders, 77, of East Windsor, died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital.

Born on May 22, 1936, in Jackman, Maine, Jerry was the son of the late Harvey and Ella (Morin) Canders. He had resided in East Windsor for 40 years and was a communicant of St. Mary Church. Jerry was employed with SNET for over 25 years and retired in 1995. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifetime National Rifle Association member. Jerry proudly served his country with the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command's 19th Air Refueling Squadron on Cape Cod from 1958-1962 as a crew chief on KC-97s. In his leisure time, Jerry enjoyed reading, woodworking, model railroading and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Jerry was devoted to his family and enjoyed traveling with them.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Linda (Hardy) Canders; his daughter and her husband, Heather and Adam Korbof Ellington, and his granddaughter Ella; mother-in-law, Lois Hardy; sister-in-law, Kathy Hardy; and niece, Kayla Hardy, all of Enfield; and his lifelong friends, Larry and Pat Raines of Belchertown, Mass.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at 9 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 42 Spring St., Windsor Locks. Burial with military honors will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Jerry's family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield.

Memorial donations may be made to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation, National Processing Center, Attention: Honor and Memorial Gifts, P.O. Box 1245, Albert Lea, MN 56007.

For additional information or to extend an online expression of sympathy please visit

www.brownefuneralhome.com