Obituary for Coach Robert J. McKee
Remembered by his expression, "It's great to be alive", it is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Coach Robert J. McKee, 95, at his home in Farmington, Monday, December 4, 2017. He was the beloved husband of the late Virginia (Chiesa) McKee, both formerly of West Hartford.
Born in Prince Edward Island, Canada on February 14, 1922 he was the son of the late Richard and Blanche (Sozzi) McKee, he moved to Boston with his family at the age of eight. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and was discharged as a Captain. Coach graduated from Boston University, earning a Master's Degree. In 1948, Coach came to West Hartford to begin his career teaching and coaching at Hall High School. He was appointed the Head Coach for Football from 1951 to 1956 at Hall. In 1957, he moved over to Conard High School as a Physical Education teacher and the Head Football Coach. He remained there until his retirement in 1983. While at Conard, he also coached baseball and started the wrestling program. He was coach of the wrestling team for seven years and the baseball team from 1957- 1979. In 1968, he received the Coach of the Year Award and in 1982 he was inducted into the Connecticut Coaches Hall of Fame. The Conard High School Stadium now bears his name. Coach was a long standing member of the Northern CT Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. After retiring he turned his interest into fine arts painting, became a member of the West Hartford Art League. He became totally immersed in his new found passion after football (we know, hard to believe).
He is survived by two daughters and his son-in-law, Deborah McKee Cersosimo and her husband, Robert of West Hartford and Cindy McKee of Newington; his three grandchildren, Matthew Cersosimo and his wife, Megan, his three great-grand children Brady, Caroline and Maggie of West Hartford; Brianne Cersosimo and her fiancé Jason Broesicke of Washington D.C. and Laurie Cersosimo and her wife Makaila of West Hartford; He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert N. Chiesa of Cheshire, CT, his niece Kathy Talbot and nephew Peter Chiesa. Deb, Rob and Cindy wish to extend their heartfelt thanks, love and appreciation to his wonderful caregiver, Amino Ali, for his kindness and unending care and compassion he gave their dad, Coach McKee.
Burial will be private and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In Dad’s memory, donations may be made to the Northern CT Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame: NFF - NCC 80 Haystack Rd., Manchester, CT 06040 or to McLean Hospice 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070 It was Dad’s hope that all who knew him might now take the time to “ perform a random act of kindness".
He will be forever missed, never forgotten. We love you Bub, “SO LONG PAL”
The Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com
Born in Prince Edward Island, Canada on February 14, 1922 he was the son of the late Richard and Blanche (Sozzi) McKee, he moved to Boston with his family at the age of eight. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and was discharged as a Captain. Coach graduated from Boston University, earning a Master's Degree. In 1948, Coach came to West Hartford to begin his career teaching and coaching at Hall High School. He was appointed the Head Coach for Football from 1951 to 1956 at Hall. In 1957, he moved over to Conard High School as a Physical Education teacher and the Head Football Coach. He remained there until his retirement in 1983. While at Conard, he also coached baseball and started the wrestling program. He was coach of the wrestling team for seven years and the baseball team from 1957- 1979. In 1968, he received the Coach of the Year Award and in 1982 he was inducted into the Connecticut Coaches Hall of Fame. The Conard High School Stadium now bears his name. Coach was a long standing member of the Northern CT Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. After retiring he turned his interest into fine arts painting, became a member of the West Hartford Art League. He became totally immersed in his new found passion after football (we know, hard to believe).
He is survived by two daughters and his son-in-law, Deborah McKee Cersosimo and her husband, Robert of West Hartford and Cindy McKee of Newington; his three grandchildren, Matthew Cersosimo and his wife, Megan, his three great-grand children Brady, Caroline and Maggie of West Hartford; Brianne Cersosimo and her fiancé Jason Broesicke of Washington D.C. and Laurie Cersosimo and her wife Makaila of West Hartford; He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert N. Chiesa of Cheshire, CT, his niece Kathy Talbot and nephew Peter Chiesa. Deb, Rob and Cindy wish to extend their heartfelt thanks, love and appreciation to his wonderful caregiver, Amino Ali, for his kindness and unending care and compassion he gave their dad, Coach McKee.
Burial will be private and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In Dad’s memory, donations may be made to the Northern CT Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame: NFF - NCC 80 Haystack Rd., Manchester, CT 06040 or to McLean Hospice 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070 It was Dad’s hope that all who knew him might now take the time to “ perform a random act of kindness".
He will be forever missed, never forgotten. We love you Bub, “SO LONG PAL”
The Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com