In Memoriam: Earl Grenville Killeen
Earl Grenville Killeen, 77, of Clinton, artist, author, and friend of the arts passed away on August 24, 2026, while receiving hospice care at home.
He is survived by his body of artwork, and by his contributions to the arts community. He will be deeply missed by his son and daughter-in-law, Jared and Rebecca Killeen; and grandchildren Henry and Clara; as well as by his former wife of nineteen years, and later, his devoted companion of twenty years, Leah Raechel Killeen; and his beloved little cat, Mariah.
Born in Yonkers, NY on January 24, 1949, Earl was sent at the age of fifteen to live with various relatives after his mother and step-father separated. At seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged after being injured in the line of duty. Earl lived for several years in New York City, where he attended the Art Students’ League, before moving to the Connecticut shoreline in 1981 with his wife and infant son.
Earl soon became an active member of the then-fledgling Shoreline Arts Alliance and, under its auspices, he launched the Future Choices Annual Juried Exhibition for regional high school students, now in its fifth decade. In 2020, Earl added an award to this event with his endowment of the Earl Grenville Killeen Founder’s Award of $500, to be shared by an art teacher and a student.
Among his accomplishments as an artist, Earl has been featured in several issues of The Artist’s Magazine, including as the First Place recipient in the still life category of that publication’s national art competition. He was awarded two Individual Artist grants (1993-94 and 1995-96), and an Artist Fellowship (2021) bestowed by the Connecticut Office of the Arts. Four of Earl’s paintings have recently been acquired by the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme for their permanent collection.
Earl will be remembered by those who knew him for his intense energy and sharp wit. He loved truth and beauty and the natural world and all its creatures, including those with six, eight, or no legs, and would spare no effort to rescue any in need. His family had to hope that he would not be hit by a truck as he dashed into traffic to rescue a turtle that turned out to be a hub cap.
Earl’s good-heartedness toward living beings also included fellow humans, whether they were family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. Much of Earl’s joy in life came from giving something of himself or from himself. Small examples of this giving include: His legendary banana bread for the refreshment table at the openings of exhibits at the Lyme Art Association – attendees of the event always looked forward to snagging a slice (or two, if they were quick); and an expertly and lovingly crafted papier mache triceratops skull that Jared, at the age of three, had the thrill of digging up in the backyard.
That thrill was reciprocal, as Earl’s deepest joy was in his love for his son. Over the last eight years that joy was tripled, as he embraced becoming Grandpa EarlFace to Henry and Clara.
Earl relished the chance to share a chortle, not only in conversation but in his writing and artwork. Part of his charm was that he never took himself too seriously – even in the midst of a tirade or a sulk, he’d let a little quip slip off his tongue. Earl’s wit also crackles throughout his novelized memoir, when i argue with myself, how is it i never win?
Earl’s family is grateful for having this beautiful man in our lives and hearts. And we are grateful to everyone at Hartford Health Care at Home Hospice Care, and to Dawn, Jason, and Ray of Dedicated Companions for the compassionate care they gave him.
A graveside service, with Military Honors, will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, 1 p.m., at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown.
Comments