Pete Akin

March 26, 1952 - June 4, 2021

Peter J. “Pete” Akin passed away Friday, June 4, 2021 after a brief illness. He was born in Hartford, March 26, 1952 to William C. and Eileen (O’Donnell) Akin. Pete was raised in West Hartford alongside his older sister Christine and brother Jim. Pete attended West Hartford schools and graduated from Northwest Catholic High School in 1970. From an early age, the phrase “…to the beat of a different drum” aptly described Pete’s approach to life. Pete was a talented artist. He was skilled with a jackknife and would delight young cousins, god children, and his nieces & nephew’s with his handiwork. Faces carved in apples that were left to dry in the sun, shriveling and contorting into grotesque expressions, or pumpkins festooned with broccoli ears and eggplant noses were favorite creations. Often, he would appear around a holiday (but never on it) bearing some detailed creation he had spent a lot of time on. One Easter, he arrived with a couple dozen eggs, that had been drained through a pin-hole, then painted in a kaleidoscope of wonderful colors. He a wicked sense of humor and a gift for making people feel good about the time they spent with him. Because he never had a phone or email, encounters with Pete were usually unexpected or by happenstance. But if you did run into him, usually walking down the street somewhere (no car either) he would greet you warmly and spend as long as you had time laughing, reminiscing, and perhaps introducing you to something you’d never thought of. Invariably, you’d leave those visits feeling good about something and thinking how much you’d enjoy seeing him again. Pete was predeceased by his parents and sister, Christine Akin of Hartford. He is survived by his brother James Akin and his wife Eileen Brewer-Akin of West Hartford, and his nephews and nieces; Wiley, Patrick, James, Olivia, and Audrey Akin. The family would like to thank his landlord, Elvis Rodriguez and his wife for the kindness and respect with which they treated him during the last few years. A private burial will be held by the family. Arrangements are being handled by Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford.