Kevin Joseph Bender

Kevin Joseph Bender, 65, of Columbia and formerly of Lebanon, passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Hartford Hospital with his wife and daughters at his side.

Born in Englewood, NJ, he was a son of Joan (Walther) Bender of Cresskill, NJ and the late Joseph Bender. Kevin was raised in New Jersey and moved to Connecticut soon after he married his beloved wife, Jean (née: Kaelblein) on September 11, 1976. The couple raised their family in Lebanon where Kevin was actively involved with recreation sports, coaching youth softball and soccer. He retired from Ledgestone Technologies in Hebron as a Systems Analyst. Kevin loved technology and was proficient with computers. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, photography, tinkering with old machines, and vintage treasure hunting.  He was an avid sports fan and loved watching Yankees baseball and UCONN basketball.  Kevin enjoyed bantering with anyone about almost anything – but all knew to avoid politics! His family will remember him as “best looking - Class of ’71” who never had rain on his birthday. Kevin will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by his mother, Joan; his beloved wife of 42 years, Jean; his children, Carrie and her husband Brian Schwartz of Lebanon, Chrissy and her husband Joe Branciforte of Lebanon; brothers, Kerry and his wife Janice Bender, Kyle and his wife Tracy Bender, all of NJ; Brother-in-law, Steve Patterson, husband of Kevin’s late sister Katherine, of NH; grandchildren, Teddy, Bennett, Maggie and Katherine, and numerous extended family members and friends. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Sept. 28th from 4 – 7 pm at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester, CT.  Gathering again on Saturday at the funeral home, beginning at 10 am, followed by a memorial service and celebration of life at 10:30 am.  Burial will be private.  Kevin’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Hartford Transplant Team and the staff of the surgical ICU at Hartford Hospital. Donations in his memory may be made to Life Choice Donor Services, 8 Griffin Rd. N., Ste. 200B, Windsor, CT 06095

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