John J. Klein, breeder of Samoyeds

John Joseph Klein, 71, of Smith Hill, Salisbury, a former Ridgefielder who bred prize-winning dogs, died at his home Tuesday morning, Oct. 1, after a long illness. He was the husband of Beverly L. Holt Klein.
Mr. Klein was born March 31, 1931 in Stamford, son of the late Francis L. and Ellen A. Cronin Klein Sr. During the Korean conflict, he was a corporal with the U.S. Army assigned to the 192 Field Artillery Battalion.
Mr. Klein had been a mechanic for Northeast Utilities for 40 years. He began his career in Stamford, and then transferred to the Falls Village unit. He retired in 1973.
The Kleins lived on Woodland Way in the 1960s and early 1970s and operated Sleighbell Kennel there. They bred and showed Samoyeds, and many of their dogs won awards at AKC shows. He and his wife were members of the Samoyed Club of America.
He had been a member of the Ridgefield Fire Department Drum Corps, which was known as the “Flamemen.”
He also was a member of the Association of Retired Employees of Northeast Utilities and of the Church of St. Mary in Lakeville.
Besides his wife, Mr. Klein is survived by many nieces and nephews. A brother, Francis L. Klein Jr., and a sister, Ellen M. Kellogg, died before him.
Services will take place Saturday from the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan at 11:15, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in the Church of St. Mary, 76 Sharon Road, Lakeville.
Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cobble Road, Salisbury.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 to 11.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, Salmon Kill Road, Salisbury, CT 06068 or to the Little Guild of St. Francis, 285 Goshen Sharon Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06796.