Obituary: State Auditor, Robert J. Kane, 53, of Watertown

Obituary courtesy of Chase Parkway Memorial, The Albini Family Funeral Home

Robert J. Kane

April 30, 1967 - February 05, 2021

WATERTOWN, CT - Former State Senator and current State Auditor, Robert J. Kane, 53, passed away unexpectedly on February 5, 2021 at his home. He was the proud father of Aidan and Deana Kane of Middlebury.

Rob was born April 30, 1967, a son of the late James J. and Deana (LoRusso) Kane Sr. Rob was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School, Central Connecticut State University with a bachelors in business administration and management and earned his MBA from the University of New Haven. Rob was a successful entrepreneur who opened one of the first cell phone stores, KarTele Cellular Communications in 1994. He gained his MBA while owning that store. As a long time resident of Watertown, he was first elected to represent the 32nd Senatorial District in a special election on January 15, 2008. He held that position until becoming State Auditor in 2017.

The Deputy Minority Leader Pro Tempore and Caucus Chairman, Rob served as the lead Republican senator on the legislative panel which oversees state government spending. Rob was the leading Republican Senator, or Ranking Member, of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee. He was also Ranking Member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee, and he served on the Public Health Committee. Rob advocated for the issues that are important to Connecticut, especially to the people living in the 32nd District.

He was a leader in the push to create the Waterbury-Oxford Airport Development Zone, which allows the state to harness the high level of general aviation traffic at Waterbury-Oxford Airport to spur economic growth. The tax incentives in the zone are attracting new businesses and quality jobs. Rob also spearheaded legislation to create the “Connecticut Antiques Trail”. The trail aims to boost tourism in Woodbury and the greater Waterbury region, connecting antiques businesses for marketing purposes.

He serves as a Corporator of Valley United Way, Inc. and serves as a member of Post University’s Master of Public Administration Advisory Council. Rob is past chair of the Watertown Town Council and has served as chair of its Finance Subcommittee and founding chair of its Business Development Subcommittee. He is a former chair of the Wolcott Street/Lakewood Road Business Association, a past president of the Professional Network Organization (Profnet), and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce.

He is a former board member of United Way, of the Waterbury Association of Retarded Citizens, and of Regional Workforce Investment Board. Rob is a past recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Malcolm Baldrige Award for Volunteerism, and a past recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Harold Webster Smith Small Business Award. Rob received the 2016 Radiological Society of Connecticut Award for his leadership in advocating for preventive healthcare services for women and access to services by all patients.

Rob was the full time “hockey and gymnastics” dad. He cherished spending time with Aidan and Deana. He was quick to send pics of his “dad uber routes” to show where he was off to for the day's events. He would tease them all the way with his quick one liners and “dad jokes” much to their dismay. He loved holidays with his extended family and especially loved St. Patrick’s Day. He was the life of the party as if the day was made for him. He was an avid golfer at the Watertown Golf Club, which was a passion that he shared with his children as many times as he could. In addition, Rob loved the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and participated in 20 years of his Fantasy Football League with his lifelong friends.

Besides his children, whom he loved and adored, Rob leaves to cherish his memory; his siblings Maria Kane Slavin and her husband John, Cheryl A. Kane, the long-time principal of Maple Hill Elementary School in Naugatuck, and John Tarascio, James J. Kane Jr., Diane S. Kane all of Waterbury and Christopher M. Kane of Wolcott and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 13, 202, 10:00 a.m. at The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. Calling hours will be held Friday, February 12th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial, The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Memorial contributions can be made in Rob’s memory to:

Kane Children Education Fund in care of Cheryl Kane or James Kane

P.O. Box 1214, Middlebury, CT 06762.