John Kivela, Sr.

John H. Kivela Sr.

1932 - 2015 | Obituary | Condolences

John H. Kivela Sr. Obituary

John H. Kivela Sr. Jan. 11, 1932 - May 22, 2015 CANTERBURY - John H. Kivela, 83, of Canterbury and Stuart, FL, beloved husband of Joy (Sandberg) Kivela passed away May 22, 2015 in the loving company of his family. John was born January 11, 1932 in Bronx, New York, a son of the late Arvid and Impi (Syrenius) Kivela. He was a flight engineer in the U.S. Air Force and received his Bachelor Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and his Master's and Sixth Year degrees from UCONN. John served as Superintendent of Schools in Sterling and Voluntown for many years, owned a construction company and a telecommunications business. He also served on the Canterbury Zoning Board of Appeals and as President of the Sampo Club / Finn Hall. He was an avid fan of UCONN women's basketball and Westerns. Besides his wife he leaves a daughter and son in law Elizabeth and Sean Barrett of Stuart, FL; a son and daughter in law John H. and Kris Kivela, Jr. of New Milford; 3 grandchildren Amy, Ashley and Peter Kivela; a brother and sister in law Edwin and Rosalind Kivela of Plainfield; a sister Eleanore Arvonen of Simsbury; many nieces and nephews, a flock of grandbirds and his beloved dog, Katie. John was predeceased by 4 brothers; William, Rudy, Donald and Richard Kivela and 2 sisters Niomi Mackela and Doris Saari. A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, May 30th at the Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home in Plainfield at 2 P.M. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, NY, NY 10163. www.doughertybrosfuneralhome.com

Published in Norwich Bulletin on May 28, 2015 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/norwichbulletin/obituary.aspx?pid=...