Frank William Mehr

Frank William Mehr, 91, of Avon and West Hartford, passed away on May 6, 2014 with his loving family by his side. “Bill” was born in Hartford, CT on January 7, 1923, and enjoyed a long and loving marriage of 66 years with his wife, Barbara “Lee”, who predeceased him in 2013. He is also predeceased by his brother, Fred Mehr. Bill's faith and family were very important to him. He leaves three children: Karen Flanagan and her husband, Michael, of West Hartford; Marlene Kirkby and her husband, Michael, of West Hartford; and David Mehr and his wife, Wendy, of Canton. He was a wonderful “grampy” to nine grandchildren: Christopher and Ryan Flanagan; Drew, Carly, Nina and Lilly Kirkby; Robert, Morgan and Ryan. Bill also leaves his sister, Myla Egan, of West Hartford and many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Weaver High School and Hilliard College, he began his long career of 42 years at Aetna Life Insurance Company. Bill's career was interrupted for four years while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He liked sharing his experiences of being on the Western Front and trekking throughout Europe pursuing the enemy and sleeping under the stars. His most striking memory was being at the Battle of the Bulge and pushing the enemy forces back to Berlin. After the war, he came home and married his “Aetna sweetheart”, Barbara “Lee” Gleason. Bill and Lee raised their family in West Hartford and Avon, and were very active at St. James Church of West Hartford and Christ Episcopal Church of Avon. Some of his happiest memories were from time spent at the family beach cottage in Old Saybrook and at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT. Bill always carried golf clubs in the trunk of his car, and enjoyed introducing family members to the game. Golf balls were always tucked away in drawers throughout the house, all reminders of a sport that he pursued endlessly. He will be remembered by his many friends and family for always being the perfect gentlemen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one's favorite charity. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 13 at 11 a.m. at St. James Church in West Hartford (corner of Walden St. and Farmington Avenue) followed by a burial service with military honors at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery on Climax Road in Avon. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Frank William Mehr

May 7, 2014