Ahto Kaljulaid of West Hartford, CT, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on July 8, 2022 at the age of 85. Born in P?rnu, Estonia, Ahto came to the United States in 1950 at the age of 12 after escaping the Communist takeover of his beloved Estonia during World War II. He lived 6 years in displaced persons’ camp, Sandplatz, in the British Sector of Germany, where he walked through beautiful rhododendron parks and developed a love of nature. He became a U.S. citizen and embraced his new life in Reading, PA. Ahto graduated from Albright College and worked for the Traveler’s Insurance Company, spending 16 years in the Buffalo, NY office and then 15 years at corporate headquarters in Hartford, CT; he remained a life-long Buffalo Bills fan. He then worked for New England Insurance Services prior to his retirement in 2017. Ahto was an accomplished chess player, ballroom dancer, and avid collector of WWII military miniatures. He loved telling jokes gardening, spending time with his family, and playing with his grandchildren. His charm, sharp wit, and kind words will be missed. Conversations with him about history will long be remembered.

Ahto is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Musselman Kaljulaid, his son Lon Kaljulaid and daughter-in-law Anne Rosenberg Kaljulaid of Simsbury, CT along with grandchildren Lauren Kaljulaid of Florida, Christian Kaljulaid of Hartford, CT, and Brendan Kaljulaid of Simsbury, CT. Ahto also leaves behind his daughter Karen Kaljulaid Larkin, son-in-law Edward Larkin, and grandchildren Nicolas and Jaan Larkin, all of Wilmington, DE.

The entire family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the clinical and care staff at St. Francis Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Estonian Relief Committee (http://www.estoreliefusa.org/home_eng.html).