Daniel H. Kandefer, Jr.

Torrington- Daniel H. Kandefer, Jr., 76, passed away Monday, January 30, 2023, at Hartford Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Mary Ann (Germano) Kandefer.

            Mr. Kandefer was born in Torrington on May 22, 1946, son of the late Daniel H. Kandefer, Sr., and Julia E. (Rybak) Kandefer, and had been a lifelong city resident. Dan graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1968 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.  He was a U.S. Navy Reserve Veteran. Dan retired as a Personnel Manager with the State of Connecticut for 35 years, 10 years in Hartford and the last 25 years of service at the Southbury Training School. Mr. Kandefer was a communicant of St. John Paul the Great Parish, Torrington, and had been a communicant of the former St. Mary’s Church. Dan was an avid reader who loved to share what he learned in detail.  His love of joke telling was infamous and his repertoire of jokes vast. Dan had a passion for the outdoors, especially gardening and hunting. The size of the pumpkins that he grew at his first residence on Red Mountain Avenue were prize worthy. As a member of the National Rifle Association, Dan was well versed in a variety of artillery. He was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all, and a man who would go out of his way to help anyone in need.  Dan’s greatest love of all, undoubtedly was his family, especially his three grandchildren whom he enjoyed watching play sports, engaging in strategic games of cards or chess, or just watching them swim in his pool.

            Survivors, in addition to his wife, Mary Ann, include two daughters, Mary Alice Gendreau and her husband, David, of Lebanon, and Christine M. Kersten and her husband, Michael, of Washington Depot; a sister, Julieanne Winters of Torrington; three grandchildren, Noah Gendreau, Melina Kersten, and Braelyn Kersten; Brother-in-laws, Joseph Germano (Barbara), Christopher Germano and Tom Germano (Joyce) and several nieces and nephews.

            A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 11:00a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main St., Torrington. Burial will follow in New St. Francis Cemetery, Torrington. Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington, is in care of arrangements.

            At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Torrington Veterans Service Office, c/o 140 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790.

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