Kevin Joseph Klein, 59, a resident of Brookfield, died in a car accident October 25, in Middlebury. He was a native of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and the son of Barbara and the late Joseph Klein.

His wife of 25 years, Susan Anthony-Klein, 55, who grew up in Newtown and graduated from Newtown High School; and his 20-year-old twin sons, Maxwell and Aaron Klein, survive Mr Klein.

Ms Anthony-Klein is an accomplished pianist, and choir director of Salem Covenant Church in Washington, Conn., as well as accompanist to the Newtown Choral Society. Maxwell is studying business at Ithaca College and Aaron is a student of theater at Manhattanville College. 

Kevin was a devoted husband and father who will also be greatly missed by his three brothers, Michael, Timothy, and Eric; his mother; and his 10 nieces and nephews.

Throughout his life, Mr Klein demonstrated a natural curiosity and drive for innovation that his friends, family, and colleagues long admired. He was vice president of Enterprise Innovation at Pitney Bowes in Stamford, a company he had been a leader of since 2000. His strong advocacy and creativity in finding the best business solutions for clients in the financial sector garnered him GE’s Industrial Internet Innovation Award at GE’s recent Minds + Machines event. His previous work experience includes both project management and international relationship building at Branson Ultrasonics and Unimation. Even as a freshman studying Industrial Technology at the State University of New York College in Buffalo, he demonstrated his talents at innovation by implementing injection molding for ice cream cakes at the local Carvel ice cream shop where he worked with his brother Michael. His legacy is one of global engagement and unwavering leadership and integrity.

All of those who knew Mr Klein, in both his professional and personal life, knew him to be a man who put his heart into everything he did. He had a passion for racing, attending races and collecting memorabilia from all over the world. His excitement was infectious, and even if you didn’t know a racecar from a bicycle, he could keep you on the edge of your chair as he described the latest contest.   

He was both a hardworking, intelligent businessman and a corny practical joker, the happiness he brought to all those around him springing from his open and genuine spirit. He truly enjoyed even the smallest moments of life, becoming the number one loyal supporter of anything his loved ones cared about, whether it was classical music, miniatures, theater, baseball, or the family shiba inus dog. 

Mr Klein was a man whose passionate and selfless spirit never wavered, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who loved him.

Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Friday, November 6, from 5 to 8 pm. A Memorial Service will take place at Salem Covenant Church, 96 Baldwin Hill, Washington, Conn., Saturday November 7, at 11 am. Interment in Newtown Village Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Covenant Church Choir Fund, 96 Baldwin Hill Road, PO Box 314, Washington Depot CT  06794; or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. 

To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com.