Final Salute

Navy Veteran, Beloved Father, Former Boonton Resident Chief Petty Officer (Retired) Kyle Henri Gundersen passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at Hartford Hospital, in Hartford, Connecticut. Kyle was born on April 11, 1962 in Bath, Maine. He grew up in New Jersey, living in Union City, Lake Hiawatha and Boonton. He graduated from Boonton High School in 1980, and was a four year starter for Boonton’s basketball team. Shortly after graduation, he joined the US Navy and served in the nuclear propulsion division on the USS Nimitz and the USS Virginia. As a member of the Navy reserves, a Seabee, he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Kyle raised his family in Southington, Connecticut, where he was active with his children’s sports as a volunteer coach, and worked most recently as a safety engineer for NAES. Kyle is lovingly remembered by his friends and family as an avid motorsports fan, a perennially frustrated Giants football fan, and a gleeful jokester. His smile was infectious, and he was one of the world’s greatest huggers. He cherished time with family and friends, and found every opportunity to invite his family to dance. Kyle is survived by his children, of whom he was most proud, Matthew Kyle and Katherine (Katie) Mary, of Plantsville Connecticut, his mother, Karen Gundersen of Boonton, New Jersey, his sister, Elyssa Kaneko (Hide), his brother, Bret Gundersen (Adrienne), and sister, Amy Cartelli (Christopher), and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his loving partner Adela (Addy) Staines and her daughters Christianne, Alejandra (Alex), and Gina. Kyle will be buried with full military honors on Friday, December 16th 2022. Viewing hours will be 10:00-11:00 AM at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St, in Middletown Connecticut with a short service to follow at 11:00 AM. Interment at Middletown State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane in Middletown CT will begin at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fisherhouse.org, a charity that serves military families.

Published by The Star-Ledger from Dec. 14 to Dec. 15, 2022.