Allan Bruce Aylward

It is with great sadness that the family of Allan Bruce Aylward, of Cromwell, announce his sudden passing on Friday, March 28, 2025. He left this world with his family by his side after a day spent engaged in the work that he loved and connecting with family and friends near and far. Allan was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada on September 16, 1948, the second youngest of twelve children of Robert and Marion Aylward of Hurkett, Ontario. Before attending Lakehead University, Allan spent his youth with his ten brothers and favorite sister Peggy adventuring in the "Great White North." It was these formative years that instilled his traits as an avid outdoorsman, prolific storyteller, practitioner of extreme generosity, cunning cribbage player, and devoted son, brother and friend. In 1971, Allan's spirit of adventure took him to the United States where he met his wife of nearly 52 years, Carol Soboleski. Together they built a memorable life with their three children and many friends and relatives. Allan had a strong entrepreneurial spirit leading him to start and run several successful businesses over the last 45 years. Allan enjoyed spending his time in the outdoors skiing, hunting, fishing, and pontoon boating with friends and family. He was a lifetime member of the Buzzard Ice hockey team where he met many of his lifelong friends. Of all his accomplishments, Allan was most proud of earning the title of grandpa. It was a role he was born to play, just ask any of his six grandchildren: Isla and Cole Desmarais, Evie, Riley, and Hannah Aylward, and Tedy Allan Healy. In addition to his wife and grandchildren, he is survived by his daughter Kerri (Kyle), son Keith (Laura), and daughter Kathy (Dan). Also surviving is his brother Leslie as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Marian, and siblings Robert, Peggy, Mel, Dave, Clyde, Gordon, Bryan, Walter, Glen, and Arnold. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 7th at 10:00 am will be held at St John's Church, 5 Saint John Court in Cromwell. A burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery in North Haven. Family and friends may call on Sunday April 6th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell. If desired, donations can be made to The Special Olympics of Connecticut or the Wounded Warrior Project. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Allan Bruce Aylward, please visit our floral store.