Stephen E. Kraffmiller

Stephen Edward (Steve) Kraffmiller of Milford, CT, age 88, passed into eternal life on September 8, 2017 in the Milford Hospital Hospice Room surrounded by his beloved family.

Born in December 5, 1928 in Brooklyn and raised in Queens Village, New York the only child of the late Emma Abels and Stephen F. Kraffmiller, Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Kathlyn Travers Ryan, daughter Jane Marie and son-in-law Michael Cuppernull of Milford, son Stephen Edward Jr. and daughter-in-law Mary Ann Carberry of Waltham, MA, and daughter Ellen Marie of Arlington, MA. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary Lyn Kraffmiller Flyte and survived by son-in-law Robert Flyte of Shelton, CT. He is survived by his grandchildren, Michael, Kevin, Ashley and her husband Patrick Wright, Catherine, Patrick, Ryan, Michael, and Anna. Steve is one of 31 first cousins. 

He was predeceased by his parents-in-law Joseph F. Ryan and Catherine Travers Ryan, brothers-in-law Joseph F. (Bud) Ryan, Jr., Raymond J. Ryan, Robert A. Gerace and sister-in-law Patricia Ryan Gerace. He is survived by brother-in-law James B. Ryan, sisters-in-law C. Suzanne Ryan, Janet Mumaw Ryan, Barbara Bojko Ryan and numerous nieces and nephews.

Steve was graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School (Brooklyn New York) in 1946 earning a prestigious Regents Diploma. At Bishop Loughlin he ran track and field and participated in indoor meets at Madison Square Garden.  Shortly after graduating high school he enlisted in the Merchant Marines transporting military dependents between New York and Bremmerharven Germany. In September 1946 he enlisted in the United States Army serving in the Aleutian Islands as a Private First Class Supply Clerk until 1948.

After Honorable Discharge from the Army he enrolled in the University of Dayton (Ohio) earning a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1954. Returning East after graduation he started working as a Civil Engineer at Westcott and Mapes in Branford, CT. He continued working at the company and its successors finally retiring from STV in 2008, a career spanning 54 years lasting within two months of his 80th birthday. He was one of the designers of the brand new Interstate 95 in Guilford Connecticut. Other favorite projects included a redesign of the Merritt Parkway and Route 8 interchange, Amtrak track improvements from Groton, CT through Westerly, RI, improvements at Co-op City in New York, and the Grand Avenue bridge in New Haven, CT. 

He also used his engineering expertise and dedication to environmental issues in service to his beloved adopted hometown of Milford, Connecticut serving for many years on the Zoning Board of Appeals (Chairman). He was instrumental in the renovation of Wilcox Park, designing a viewing platform that is a prominent feature in the Gulf Beach Walking Trail Map. He documented over 75 public access points to Milford’s coastal and river waterways. As a member of the Milford Clean Energy Task Force he helped develop a comprehensive energy plan for the city. In 2013 he helped research and document about 150 parcels of open space for Milford’s Open Space Inventory. Steve was also a member of Milford Trees and used his expertise to guide the planting of trees for the Greening of the Post Road and in suitable places in parks, open spaces and along city streets.

For these and other contributions he was awarded the DAR Community Service Award in 2014. In one letter of recommendation Steve Johnson, Vice Chair of Milford’s Conservation Commission wrote, “I am personally grateful for Steve being so generous with his time and talents. He is a great example of selfless dedication and commitment to making Milford a wonderful place to call home, to work, or simply to visit.”

An avid fan of the UConn Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, Steve cheered the Huskies for many years as a season ticket holder. He attended five Final Fours of the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament. 

Steve was a dedicated family man. He took the family on many memorable trips to upstate New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. He always found the scenic overlooks and a motel with a vacancy sign, maybe a pool. He read books on soccer in order to learn enough to coach his son’s team in the Park-Rec league.

He doted on his grandchildren attending as many of their sporting events, performances and celebrations as he could.

He spent more than 60 years with the love of his life, his wife Kathy. In retirement he became “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer” at home, preparing wonderful meals for them to enjoy. Through Kathy he became an Honorary Irishman, reveling in the music and culture of the Emerald Isle. He was a charter member of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford. He especially enjoyed the friendship of the Irish Book Club members.

He had a big smile and and a warm word for everyone he met.  His kindness and love infused everything he did.

He had a good run.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of one’s choice or

Beth-El Shelter and Soup Kitchen

90 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT 06460

Or 

Saint James Church "Care of Our Father's House" 

2070 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615

The family would like to thank the staff of Milford Hospital for the compassionate care they provided to Steve.

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