Robert Kane, 65, funeral director, Kiwanian, fireman

Robert A. Kane, a second generation funeral director who had operated the Kane Funeral Home here for 40 years, died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 20, at his New Hampshire home. He was 65 years old and had lived in Hampton, N.H. and on Catoonah Street.
“One of the things he was really proud of was the service the funeral home provided the community,” said his son Kevin Kane of Scituate, Mass. “He helped a lot of families in a lot of different ways. He was dealing with people during their most tragic times and he always did it with grace and compassion.”
Mr. Kane, an owner of the Kane Funeral Home here and the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home of Danbury, was born in Danbury on Feb. 4, 1935, a son of the late William C. and Leona Warner Kane. As a boy he lived with his family in Hartford and attended Hartford schools. The Kanes returned to Danbury in 1950, and he attended Danbury High School, where he was a member of the varsity football team. He graduated in 1953.
About the same time, his father established the Kane Funeral Home in Ridgefield and the family moved to Catoonah Street.
Mr. Kane served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Devens, Mass. After his discharge he studied at the New England Institute in Boston where he obtained his diploma in funeral directing and embalming. Upon graduation, he joined his father at the Kane Funeral Home and later became president of the firm. William Kane died in 1974.
For the past two years, Mr. Kane has been semi-retired and has spent most of his time in Hampton where he enjoyed playing golf and visiting with his grandchildren.
Mr. Kane was active in the Ridgefield community. When the Ridgefield Kiwanis Club was formed in November 1962, he was elected its first president and over the years he served on many Kiwanis committees, including the annual military band concerts, horse shows and charter night celebrations.
He was also a member of the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department, had held various offices, including treasurer, and was often involved in the planning of the annual Fireman’s Ball. He was an honorary life member of the department.
A past coach of the Pop Warner Football league, he was also active with the Tiger Touchdown Club. He was an avid golfer and had belonged to the Ridgewood Country Club in Danbury.
Mr. Kane also belonged to the Marquette Council Knights of Columbus of Ridgefield, the John A. Gildea, Division #3, Ancient Order of Hibernians of Danbury and St. Mary’s Church.
He was also a past member of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association.
Besides his son Kevin and Kevin’s wife Laurie, Mr. Kane is survived by another son, Timothy A. Kane of Ridgewood, N.J., and his wife Laurie; a daughter, Kelly Ann Doherty of Scituate, Mass. and her husband, Robert; four grandchildren, Conor and Molly Doherty of Scituate. and Kate and John Robert Kane of Ridgewood. His former wife, Catherine J. (Murphy) Kane of Hampton, N.H. and an aunt, Ursula Otto of Brookfield, also survive.
The Rev. Robert P. Morrissey, pastor, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends will be received today, Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street.
Contributions in Mr. Kane’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 183 High Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield, or to Meals-on-Wheels, 25 Gilbert Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877.