Kevin J. King

Kevin J. King, age 64, of Wallingford and formerly of Cheshire passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Smilow Cancer Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the devoted husband of Karen (Fraser) King for over 40 years. Kevin was born on August 24, 1957, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, son of the late John “Jack” and Joan (Fitzgerald) King.

He was raised on Long Island and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School, where he excelled on the basketball court. He attended Quinnipiac University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and also met the love of his life, Karen. Throughout the years, Kevin stayed active in the Cheshire community, serving as President of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, and as a sponsor through Ion Bank for various charities. Kevin loved sports and was a huge NY Mets fan. He would love to boast about the fact he attended the first World Series games for the Mets at home for both of their stadiums – Shea in ’69 and Citi Field in ‘15. Proud of his heritage, years ago he became a dual Irish/American citizen. He enjoyed cooking corned beef and serving Guinness for the annual St. Patrick’s Day party he and Karen hosted.

He shared his journey of life through social media, mostly Facebook, where he reconnected with many friends from his past, it was his “therapy”. Kevin was selfless in his fight against cancer, enduring a clinical trial at Dana Farber, in hopes of finding a cure not only for himself, but for others. His family is grateful for the excellent care he received from Smilow Cancer Center particularly from Dr. Ronald Salem, Dr. Jill Lacy and Dr. Paul J. Ader and from Dana Farber Cancer Center, particularly from Dr. Geoffrey Shapiro. Kevin appreciated travelling with family and friends, most recently to Disney with his family, where wonderful memories were made. He truly revered every minute he had with his family and making “Papa’s pancakes” for his grandchildren.

Kevin spent 15 dedicated years at Ion Bank, serving most recently as Senior Vice President and Team Leader of the Business Banking group, a role he enjoyed immensely. He was passionate about serving and supporting Ion Bank’s business customers, as well as training and coaching his team of lenders and Bank partners. He was a selfless giver of his time, attention and wisdom. He was inspirational to everyone he worked with and touched so many people with his positivity and sense of humor.

Kevin received several nominations through the years from his peers for exemplifying Ion Bank’s service philosophy of Safety & Security, Accuracy, Responsiveness, and Friendly Personalized Service. In 2019, he was chosen for the Ion Bank Nicole A. Kamen Award. Nicole was a Bank teller who passed away in 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. Kevin received the annual award in Nicole’s memory to recognize his commitment to provide personalized service in any and all circumstances.

Throughout his fight against cancer, Kevin always prioritized his family and work over his own needs, while maintaining an extremely positive, and oftentimes witty attitude. The way he lived his life, both before and after being diagnosed, is something to admire. Kevin will be so greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues as well as his business customers for whom he worked so passionately.

He is the beloved father of Jacquelyn Heffernan and her husband, Mark of Milford; Erin Brunson and her husband, Lamar of Milford and Patrick King and his partner, Amanda of Wallingford; and is the loving “Papa” to his cherished grandchildren, Makenzie and Audrey Heffernan; Sophia and Morgan Brunson; and Opal King. Kevin also leaves his mother-in-law Doris Fraser, his brothers-in-law Donald Fraser and Brian Fraser, his beloved Aunt Pat, nieces and nephews, and many cousins whom he considered more like brothers and sisters. Kevin was predeceased by his siblings, Jeanine King and Johnny King.

So, watch a Mets game, drink a Guinness, play a round of golf or just love your family and take a moment to think of Kevin. Faith over Fear.

Family and friends are invited to greet Kevin’s family at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 So. Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 4PM to 7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 17, 2022, at 10AM in St. Bridget of Sweden Parish-St. Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire. Please meet directly at church. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Project Purple (to support pancreatic cancer patients) at www.projectpurple.org or to the Closer to Free Fund, Yale New Haven Hospital, Office of Development, PO BOX 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979.