Irvin F. Kyle Jr.

Irvin F. Kyle Jr., 79, Granby, Conn., died Tuesday (8/22/06) of complications from lung disease. Born, Wichita, Kan. to the late Irvin F. and Marie Gangl Kyle.

In addition to Joan, his wife of 46 years, he is survived by six children: Antonia R. Kyle, San Francisco, Christina M. and Paul Dabroi, McKinney, Texas, Ursula A. and Donald Steadman, New Hartford, Conn., Bernard F. Kyle and partner, James W. Schmidt, of San Francisco, Theodora T. and Lawrence Singer, San Francisco, Irvin Francis Kyle III of Port Angeles, Wash.; sister, Lenore A. Thomas of Lincoln; grandchildren: Kyle Steadman, Karen and Anthony Dabroi and Cassandra Singer, plus many nieces and nephews in the Midwest and cousins in Germany.

Attended public schools in Wichita, Kan., and Omaha. Enrolled in ROTC program at Omaha Central High. U.S. Army 1946-47 in Reims, France, as Battalion Sgt. Major (ETO). Converted to Catholicism at Lourdes, France, on Oct. 10, 1946, on weekend pass where he received the sacraments of Baptism, (taking the name of Bernard), Confirmation, Penance and Holy Eucharist . Entered the Jesuit novitiate at Florissant, Mo., then transferred to Conception Abbey diocesan seminary in 1952-1956. Worked as a counselor at Boys Town. Received BS in English literature (1951) and MS in History (1958) from Creighton University, Omaha. Became professor of history and political science at Mary Manse College (Ursuline order), Toledo, Ohio, in 1958. Married MMC alumna, Joan Klap, on Aug. 6, 1960, in Blessed Sacrament Church. At the age of 40, was awarded a fellowship in Higher Education Administration (University of Toledo) earning a Ph.D. (1968-70) while raising five children. Served as dean of faculty at Barry College, Miami Shores, Fla. (1971). Returned to Toledo's Mary Manse College as dean of continuing education. Joined the administrative staff at Tunxis Community College (Farmington, Conn.) July 1975, residing in West Hartford, Conn. Rose through the ranks at TCC to become dean of community services until his retirement in 1992. During the last five years of his tenure, he coordinated the first expansion program at TCC from architectural planning to completed construction. He was responsible for maintaining satellite course programs in area schools and factories. The first CT Motorcycle Rider Education training program at TCC, which continues to this day, was established under his initiative.

While in the U.S. army he met his German grandmother and several aunts and uncles. Fifty years later, he traveled to his mother's birthplace in Kofering (near Regensburg), Germany to reestablish contact with these relatives. Irv loved to travel throughout the U.S. and abroad. At age 65 he enrolled in the motorcycle riding course and continued riding for the last 20 years of his life.

The family wishes to express our gratitude and special thanks to Dr. John Russomanno for his efforts in maintaining Irv's positive attitude and to Thomas Doherty, Kim Bickford and the Farmington Valley Nurses Association for their special assistance and home healthcare support during Irv's prolonged illness.

Funeral mass: 10 a.m. Monday, St. Teresa's Catholic Church, Route 20, Granby, Conn. Visitation: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, Routes 10 & 202, Granby, Conn. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers: Tunxis Foundation, c/o Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, Conn., 06032; The Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, c/o Sacred Heart Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio, 43606. q