Mr. Kenneth J. "Ken" Sullivan

Mr. Kenneth "Ken" J. Sullivan, 87 years old, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at his home. Kenneth was the son of Frank J. Sullivan and Helen M. (Egan) Sullivan and he grew up in New Britain. Kenneth was pre-deceased in 2018 by his beloved wife, Lois M. (Kasprow) Sullivan. Ken and Lois made their home in Newington and had been together for 62 wonderful years. Ken leaves behind his beloved son, Keith J. Sullivan, and his committed partner and love, Michele Duval, a daughter, Karen Ann, and her husband, Mark Hollis, and a granddaughter, Erin Faye Stenvall, who was Ken's "everything." He also leaves behind a dear sister-in-law, Mrs. Julia Kasprow, her children, Susan (Kasprow) Danyluk, Robert and Thomas Kasprow, and their families, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews in the Sullivan family; Robert Jr., Elizabeth (Sullivan) Lay, Timothy, Vincent, John, William, Mary (Sullivan) Taranto, and Ann (Sullivan) Davis, and their families.
Kenneth was a graduate of New Britain High School Class of 1952. He received a Bachelor of Science, Teacher Education, in 1956 from Springfield College Massachusetts. He achieved his Master of Arts in School Administration in 1968 from the University of Connecticut. In 1976, he went on to receive his 6th Year Certificate in School Administration from UConn. He was the Assistant Principal of Somers Jr.-Sr. High School 1974-1979, Principal of Somers Jr. High, 1979-1983, and then became Principal of Mabelle B. Avery School, Somers 1983-1991. Ken retired at young age, 55, to pursue many of his passions. He belonged to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Manchester Board of Education, the Somers Board of Education, and the Harvard Principals Center. Kenneth served on the Chapman Beach Association Board and served as the Treasurer for the Westbrook Council of Beaches. Kenneth was a teacher to hundreds, a mentor to many, and a friend to all. One of his greatest accomplishments was starting the Newington Parks and Recreation Department in Newington with Mr. Robert "Bob" Stanley in 1960. He was a Summer Playground Coordinator, Adult Volleyball League and Newington Youth Council Coach, and Teen Center Coordinator. Kenneth loved children, his family, being an educator, and most of all Lois, his wife, who he missed dearly. Mr. Sullivan enjoyed being a Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Hartford Whalers fan. He could be found golfing at Indian Hill Golf Course, or lobstering and swimming at his summer cottage in Westbrook. He will be missed by his community and his church. Ken was a parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, in Newington.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at the Annunciation Parish at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church St., Newington. Interment with military honors will be in St. Mary's Cemetery - Garden Mausoleum, 1141 Stanley St., New Britain. Family and friends may call on Monday, April 5, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave, Newington. To share a memory with Ken's family, please visit us at www.duksa.net.