Obituary: George Klein, 68, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

George Klein of Branford passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital on April 23, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Alice Klein of Branford, daughters Kristen Klein (Shaun Murphy, partner) of Brooklyn, NY and Erica Klein-Meisenhelter (Justin Meisenhelter, spouse) of Freeport, NY, and niece Jessica Hill (nee Klein) of Saginaw, MI. He was predeceased by his sister Jacqueline Klein of Saginaw, MI. George was born in Jackson, MI on June 21, 1954, the son of Eugene and Lois Klein (nee Dean). George grew up in Parma, MI, graduating from Western High School, Parma in 1972 and earning a B.S. from Western Michigan University in 1978. He later went on to complete an M.B.A. at University of Connecticut in 1998.

He was employed by Sikorsky Aircraft for 30 years, where he worked as a Logistics Engineer on a variety of projects including those for the U.S. Army Blackhawk, Royal Australian Air Force, and S-76. He later worked with Hamilton Sundstrand on the NASA/Orion Project, and at Dayton T. Brown Inc. as a Project Manager. Following his retirement, he completed the Brewing Science Certificate at Sacred Heart University and was most recently employed as a bar manager at Caius Farm Brewery in Branford.

George loved to travel, especially to St. Thomas, Hawaii, and the national parks. He enjoyed hiking, having trekked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice and to the top of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains with his family. He was a lifelong golfer, concertgoer (especially for classic rock and blues), and craftsman, pursuing woodworking, carpentry and home craft brewing. Most of all he loved spending time with family and friends.

Friends may call Thursday from 4-7 P.M. at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St. Branford. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:00 at the United Methodist Church, 811 East Main St. Branford, with burial following in Center Cemetery in Branford.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the following causes: The Grand Canyon Conservancy @ www.protectgrandcanyon.org or to NEBCO African American Brewers Scholarship @ www.sacredheart.edu.