Robert J. Bob"" Kerns,

Robert J. “Bob” Kerns, Jr., 75, of East Hartford, loving husband of 26 years of Mary S. (Trifoglio) Kerns, has gone to rest on Friday, February 7, 2014 with his beloved wife by his side at his home after a long illness. Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 20, 1938, a son of the late Robert J. and Anna (Birkel) Kerns, he had resided in South Windsor for thirty years and Broad Brook for eight years prior to moving to East Hartford five years ago. Bob was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. Prior to his retirement, Bob was a Realtor in the area for forty years, with Richards and Kehmna in South Windsor, and then with Sentry Real Estate in East Hartford. He was a long-time former member of the South Windsor Lions Club and an avid sports enthusiast who also like following local and national politics. Bob was a loyal fan of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, and the UCONN Women’s basketball team. Besides his beloved wife Mary, Bob is survived by three daughters, Lisa McCarthy and her husband, James, of Medford, MA, Erica Congdon and her husband, Russell, of Stoughton, MA, Jessica Sullivan of Manchester; a son, Daniel Sullivan and his wife, Melissa, of Ellington; a son-in-law, Jeffrey Bania of Manchester; five adored grandchildren, Abigail “Abby” Frances McCarthy, Nathan “Nate” James McCarthy, Kendall Mary Bania, Elise Juliet Sullivan, and Natalie Rae Sullivan. He also leaves to mourn his loss, his trusty dog, “Lilly”; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral Services will be Saturday (February 15th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 am at St. Bartholomew Church, 45 Ludlow Road, Manchester. (The family kindly asks that everyone please go directly to the church on Saturday morning). Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Bob’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday (February 14th) at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to the Laboratory for Neuroanatomy & Cerebellar Neurobiology, MGH Development Office, Attention: Griffin Thomas, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1310, Boston, MA 02114. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.