Herbert Kemp III, MSM

1967 - 2021

May 8, 1967 - July 28, 2021 Herbert (Herb) Kemp, III, MSM, aged 54, of Hamden, Connecticut died suddenly on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Hamden after a brief illness. A devoted son, brother, husband, father, and uncle, Herb lived a quiet, generous life with wife, Felice Gray-Kemp, and their son, Evan James Kemp by his side at most times; particularly during the COVID quarantine they shared from March 2019 until Herb's passing. Born May 8, 1967 in New York, New York to Herbert Kemp, Jr. and Dolores Cruse Kemp, Herb was raised in Westport, Connecticut along with his younger sister, Courtney Anne Kemp. The bond that Herb and Courtney shared was beyond that of a typical brother and sister. He taught her a great many things such as how to read and ride a bicycle. He encouraged her in all of her endeavors and was, his whole life, one of her greatest supporters. After graduating from Staples High School in 1985, he attended Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History in 1989. In his senior year, Herb was honored twice, receiving the Hamilton College Campus Leadership Award, and the Procter & Gamble Campus Service Award for his work as a student government leader. The latter was a precursor to his joining Procter & Gamble in their Sales Executive Training Program after graduation. In 2003, Herb earned a Master of Science degree in Business Management from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. Following a successful career as a sales and account leader for several consumer product companies including Procter & Gamble, Ciba-Geigy, Dupont Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Pepsi Bottling Company, Herb's strong desire to have a career based on purpose and public service led him to shift his professional focus. Always engrossed with politics and a lifelong member Democratic Party, he considered running for Congress. Ultimately, he found his calling in the nonprofit world, spending over nine years as the District and Field Director for the Boy Scouts of America Connecticut Yankee Council, followed by service as the Director of Membership Recruitment for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Herb's truest purpose was found and expressed in his love of his family and friends. In June 1989, Brooke Perry introduced her childhood friend Herb to her new friend from college. Her name was Felice Gray. "Honestly, I never thought of myself getting married to anyone ever," said Felice. "And then this handsome, soulful, dedicated man came into my life. I fell hard and at first sight, and knew he was--and would always be--the love of my life." They were engaged a few weeks later. Herb, in his typical self-effacing way--never acknowledging how much he changed Felice's life, would often say "I scooped her up right away!" He never saw himself as the gift he was to others. Herb and Felice married on July 11, 1992, renewed their vows five years to the day, and had plans to celebrate their upcoming thirtieth (30) anniversary next year with family and friends at their original wedding location, Yale University's Battell Chapel, and then revisit their honeymoon location. "We will still meet on July 11, 2022 in Bermuda, but to honor and share in our love for Herb and tell stories of the joy he brought into our lives." At 7:11 a.m. and p.m., either or all three Kemps were known to shout "seven eleven!" in honor of that date. Felice and Evan carry on the tradition. Despite his intense dislike of needles and doctor's visits, Herb was an enthusiastic partner to Felice during IVF, providing her with the injections she needed during the treatment. When their son, Evan, was born in 2009, Herb was a natural, taking to fatherhood immediately. He was a proud "helicopter dad," and even more proud when taking on primary caregiver responsibilities in his final months. When it came to Evan, Herb was a nurturer and always, "loved him up," ready with a hug, a kiss, or a gentle pinch. Evan calls him, "the best Daddy ever." With their family complete, Herb, Felice, and Evan always considered themselves each other's soulmates and best friends. Although Herb was a very private person, anyone who got to know him experienced firsthand his quick wit and hilarious nature, booming laugh, along with the care, love, kindness, and support he showed to everyone who entered his world. Yet, far from a push-over, Herb had a stubborn streak … He and Felice, similar in that regard, lived by a family rule that if one person was strongly against a thing, he or she could convince the other to their view or the action didn't happen. They rarely disagreed on things that mattered. Herb was an avid fan of Prince and Reggie Jackson. For Herb's last birthday, Herb received a personal birthday message from Mr. Jackson. Herb's face lit up when he heard it….The approximate time of Herb's death-approximately 4:44pm EST--was especially significant, as 44 was Herb's favorite number because it was Reggie Jackson's retired New York Yankees jersey number. "Herb was a true blessing, to me and to everyone who knew him. It was a privilege and joy to walk this world beside him for nearly 32 years," said Felice. He gave great advice, was an excellent mentor, friend, loved to entertain. He was a gourmand and had an encyclopedic knowledge of government and history. He loved the arts, played the drums and was an excellent singer. Herb is survived by his wife Felice Gray-Kemp, son Evan James Kemp both of Hamden, Connecticut, his mother Dolores Cruse Kemp, sister Courtney Anne Kemp and niece Charlotte Agboh (each of Los Angeles, CA), his mother-in-law Joan Gray-Dildy and a large extended family across the United States. Arrangements are as follows: **Given COVID, and the risk to the unvaccinated and those with underlying conditions, the family is requesting that everyone wear masks, bring proof of vaccination and have taken and cleared a COVID test within the past week. ? Visitation ? Friday, August 6, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm EST: Howard K. Hill Funeral Services 1287 Chapel Street New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 624-4477 hkhfuneralservices.com. ? Saturday, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am EST: Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church 782 Orchard St, New Haven, CT 06511 Phone: (203) 787-3393 ? Funeral Services from 9:00 am to 10:15 am EST: Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church 782 Orchard St, New Haven, CT 06511 Phone: (203) 787-3393 Livestream for the Funeral Service will be on Saturday, August 7, from 8:00 am – 10:15 am. To access the livestream service, please visit, https://vimeo.com/event/1179485/23b8d7bb2d Given COVID concerns, there will be no reception following the Interment. The family will not be receiving visitors after the service. ? Interment immediately after the Funeral Services Saturday at Beaverdale Memorial Park 90 Pine Rock Ave, New Haven, CT 06515 (203) 387-6601 ? Should you decide to send flowers (for which the family is grateful), please send them to Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, New Haven by Friday August 06, 2021 ? In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a memorial donation to either Hamilton College Please select "Friend" and, when you designate the contribution, please select "Other" and select Herbert Kemp III, Class of 1989 "In Memoriam" https://my.hamilton.edu/makeagift#step1 OR Democratic National Committee, https://secure.actblue.com/donate/web-donate Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Service. To leave a message of comfort for the Kemp family, please visit, hkhfuneralservices.com.