Earl Wilbur Klein of Meriden, CT passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014, at the age of 91. He was the middle child of Anna P. and Gustave Klein and was born in Bridgeport, CT on January 20, 1923. Earl moved to West Hartford, CT as a youth and graduated from William Hall High School in 1940. Earl loved to travel and just prior to World War II was able to drive through all 48 states with his older brother Clifford for nearly 6 months.
He served in the Army Air Corp during the war and trained at Michigan State University and in San Antonio, TX. Earl was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy May Gutman of West Hartford with whom he had two sons. His second wife Lois Renshaw of New Britain predeceased him in a tragic accident in 1967.
Earl’s career after the war led him to a successful business he formed with two partners in 1964. He retired and sold Eastern Pipe Corp. in Newington, CT in 1977 and retired with his brother Cliff to VT where he lived for 35 years. Earl was predeceased by his longtime friend and traveling companion Rosemary Burlew who accompanied him on many trips, including an extended cruise up the Nile River in Egypt. Earl was predeceased by his sister Alma Klein Davis and his brother Clifford W. Simpson. He leaves two sons, John A.Klein of Kensington, CT and Earl W. Klein, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of East Boothbay, ME and Tucson, AZ. He leaves four grandchildren Jennifer Gagnon of Portland, ME, Peter Klein of Damascus, MD, Pamela Guida of Southington, CT and Grace Klein of Rocky Hill, CT. He also leaves six great-grandchildren and special friends and caregivers Mr. & Mrs. Randy Pike of West Halifax, VT. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.