Obituary of John A. Kirla

John A. Kirla, age 89, of Deep River passed away on Saturday afternoon, October 1st at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Port Chester, New York on June 22, 1922 the son of the late Joseph and Amelia (Kissel) Kirla. He had made his home with his late brother Stanley J. Kirla who passed away on March 19, 2010 and his wife Alice Kirla and their children in Deep River. With his sister in law Alice he also leaves his niece, Christine Kirla, Esq., nephew, Lee Kirla, and niece, Catherine Cote, his brother and sisters, Frank and Bertha Kirla, Alice Drake, and Mildred Keller, and his Dear Friends 3B9 at Chester Airport. John was a successful self employed entrepreneur who developed, owned, and operated businesses with his late brother Stanley in East Haven and Deep River. John was a decorated veteran having served his country as a Major in the Army Air Corps during WWII. As an "Ace" with the 362nd Fighter Squadron 357th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force in the European Theater he led fighter squadrons into combat and accumulated 12 air victories and carried out 74 missions with his P-51D Mustang "SPOOK". He was the recipient of the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 6 Battle Stars. John enjoyed his love of flying right into his mid 80's. Besides his brother Stanley he was predeceased by his sisters Frances Stauter and Susan Aunce. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Church in Chester on Thursday, October 6th. at 12:00PM. Burial with Full Military Honors and a Fly Over will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.