Gerald Patrick Kiernan

Gerald (Jerry) Patrick Kiernan, beloved by his family, friends, and coworkers passed away in Florida, following his battle with leukemia on February 7th, 2016. He was 70 years old. Jerry was born November5, 1945 in Hartford, CT to Mary O’Rourke Kiernan and John Patrick Kiernan. In addition to his parents, his death was preceded by his grandparents Charles and Mary O’Rourke who helped raise him after the early passing of his father and were affectionately referred to as Ma and Pa. In 1968 Jerry married Ursula Denisiewicz, and had sons John, Patrick, Michael, and Kevin, and lived in Glastonbury, CT. He was also predeceased by two young sons, John and Kevin as well as by his brother, James J. Kiernan. For the past 14 years, Jerry has lived in Ponce Inlet, Florida.

Jerry attended ST. Joseph’s Cathedral and graduated from Hartford Public High school in 1963, and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1967. He was drafted into the military and following his graduation from UCONN, he served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army as a foreign observer in Korea. Following his return from Korea, Jerry worked for the Hartford Insurance Company for 28 years where he rose to the position of National Vice President of Sales. He retired from the Hartford in 1997, and worked briefly as a consultant to RE Molton in Marblehead, MA, prior to starting his own company Arbor Benefit Group in 2000. Jerry was cofounder and President of Arbor Benefit Group.

Jerry was a kind-hearted, outgoing, gregarious man known to generate laughter through his story telling. Being an avid tennis and basketball player himself, he encouraged his sons, with spirit and love, and coached them in all sports from T-ball to basketball to football. To his family, he was a role model, a source of comfort and security, and one who was always willing to provide assistance to those in need. He was a history buff, proud Republican, as well as an avid fan of UCONN Basketball and Notre Dame Football. He will always be remembered lovingly by his family for his words of wisdom and life’s lessons. In his later years he enjoyed having a cocktail with his friends on the beach at the North Turn in Ponce Inlet, Florida. Most of all his face would light up in the presence of his three grandchildren whom he adored.

Jerry is survived by his two sons Patrick and his wife Erin and son Jamison, Michael and his wife Chelsea and children Devin and Kaitlin. He is also survived by Ursula D, Kiernan, as well as his sister Sheila M. Gatti and nephew James Montano. He leaves behind his many cousins and friends, as well as his Arbor family including partners Janice Theriault and Karen Harrison. A memorial service for family and friends will be held for Jerry at St. Paul’s Parish in Glastonbury, CT on Friday Feb 12, 2016 at 10:00AM. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held at the Irish American Home in Glastonbury, CT . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Box 231, Boston, MA 02111, in support of either Hematology or Infectious Disease. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.