Canton Obituary: Kenneth Kruse, 84

Kenneth C. Kruse, 84, of Wallingford, succumbed to the serious injuries he sustained as the result of a staircase fall on November 4, 2015, dying on February 5, 2016 at Hartford Hospital.

He was born in Avon on March 9, 1931 and had lived on Mt. View Road in Avon until he married Anna Schoff from North Haven in 1953. In August of 2015 they celebrated their 62 years of marriage. Ken came from a large family. His parents, Frederick and Annie (Obropta) Kruse had 16 children, with Ken being the 15th in the family. Ken was employed by the Hartford Insurance Group from 1953 until 1992 when he retired. He was very athletic and was always involved in competitive sports during his high school years at Canton High School and Teachers College of Connecticut. In later years, golf became his interest. As an employee and then as a retiree, he played in the Hartford Insurance golf league for 62 years. At TCC the baseball coach had a scout from the Philadelphia Phillies come to watch Ken pitching. He was given an invitation to come to try out as a pitcher. Unfortunately, an injury sustained while playing varsity basketball cancelled this opportunity.

With his interest and involvement in sports, he has accumulated many trophies and ribbons. Both he and his brothers comprised almost the entire baseball team of Avon. They called themselves the “Avon Townies”. The late Bill Goralski of Avon wrote several books on the quaint town of Avon with the Kruse family being noted in one of the books complete with the picture of the “Avon Townies” on the back cover. When World War II started, the team fell apart since several of Ken’s brothers enlisted in the Armed Services.

Ken became interested in horses, a very involved sport of his wife, Anna. He and Anna operated a horse boarding/equestrian center beginning in Wallingford in 1992.

He is survived by many family members and friends, including his brother-in-law, Michael Schoff as well as Eileen Kruse, Mary Jane Snow, Ginger Hepp, Joan Callahan, Diane Aligata, Ronald Barone, Sandra Barone, Sharon Schardt and Darlene Kruse, along with many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Ken was well liked by all who enjoyed his dry sense of humor and quick smile. His endless energy surprised many a person. He will be sorely missed by his wife, Anna and all who befriended him.

Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton on Wednesday, February 10th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral will be Thursday, February 11th, 10:15 AM from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM at the Church of Saint Ann in Avon. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Avon.

Please visit Ken’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.