Sgt. Kenneth Lee Startz

1950 - 2014

STONINGTON - Sgt. Kenneth Lee Startz CSP (Ret.), 63, of Stonington, husband of thirteen years to Kimballi Andreozzi-Startz, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 surrounded by his loving family at the Rhode Island Hospital after a brief and courageous battle from injuries he sustained in an accident.

Born on August 16, 1950 in New London, he was the son of the late Francis and Barbara Fakler-Startz and lived in Stonington for the past 26 years.

Ken graduated from Ledyard High School in 1968. He attended Three Rivers Community College earning his Associate's Degree and later his B.S. from St. John's University.

Ken was enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves for two years.

He began his career as a Groton City Police Officer for four years before joining the Connecticut State Police for 22, years earning the rank of Sergeant. At the time of his retirement, he was the Commanding Officer of the State Police Emergency Services Unit, which included the Dive Team, Bomb Squad and the SWAT Team.

Following his long-standing career in law enforcement, he worked for Risk Management Associates, serving as Vice President of the Northeast Territory. During his tenure, he routinely traveled the country hosting safety lectures and conducting investigations of high profile incidents such as the World Trade Center Bombing. A highly distinguished and decorated member of the team, through his work with many major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and Fortune 500 corporations, Ken's expertise and experience touched everybody.

For the past 4 years, he was co-owner and operator, with his wife and partner, of Community Hearing Aids of Connecticut. Aside from his work, Ken was a kind soul who was passionate about giving back to his community. This was evident in his work with the Westerly Warm Shelter, the Groton Rotary Club and his many volunteer missions with VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) where he touched the hearts of many and gave the gift of hearing.

Of the many special qualities he possessed, Ken's magnetic personality allowed him to enter any room and immediately pull others in, and his warmth, love, and sharp sense of humor would always keep those around him in the highest of spirits. He had extreme passion and tenacity for everything he loved, whether traveling America's national parks and the world with his wife and family, or changing the lives of his patients and their families through hearing care.

Ken's friends and family will attest that he was the ultimate woodsman. He carried a profound love and respect for all aspects of the outdoors, but his true passions evolved around hunting and fishing. He spent many hours in a tree stand, not only to land a nice deer, but also to enjoy the quiet peacefulness of his surroundings. But, let's be honest, a large part of the reason was to outdo his closest fellow woodsmen. Ken was also the guy you wanted with you in the woods when things went awry. His survivor skills and emphasis on safety would make you instantly feel at ease.

In addition to his wife, he leaves a son, Todd Startz, and his wife, April, of Ledyard; brother, Robert D. Startz, and his wife, Jane, of Leesburg, Fla.; two granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Olivia Startz; many adoring nieces and nephews; and countless friends. He is predeceased by his brother, Gary W. Startz.

Ken will be remembered for the many ways in which he touched and changed people's lives, especially his willingness to help others, and he will be deeply missed.

His family will receive friends Wednesday, March 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Mystic Funeral Home Route 1 (51 Williams Ave.) Mystic. A service will be held Thursday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at the Old Mystic Baptist Church 151 Shewville Road. Mystic. Burial will follow at the Lambtown Cemetery in Ledyard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Matagamon Lake Assoc. Inc. P.O. Box 676 Patten, ME 04765. All donations received will be applied toward the Lake Matagamon Dam Reconstruction. Lake Matagamon was a favorite spot of Ken's to fish with his friends and family. A plaque will be placed at the dam at a later time in Ken's memory.

Donations may also be made to Northeast VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), which provides funding for students to attend future VOSH missions, at 191 America Way, Jamestown RI 02835, in memory of Kenneth L. Startz.

Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online message of condolence.