According to an incident report from the Berlin Police Department, Ronald Ahern, 46, was stricken at his home, at 73 Robbins Road shortly before midnight.

 

A flurry of activity occurred when a fire started in a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was being loaded for a camping trip planned by Ahern’s son and his son’s girlfriend.  

 

According to Deputy Fire Matt Odishoo the fire was an accident as a result of metal kerosene can arcing across battery terminals. A marine battery was part of the gear.

 

Ahern rushed to remove a small propane tank in the Jeep in order to keep it from exploding and also to move a car parked nearby. He collapsed shortly thereafter.

 

Emergency personnel worked for several minutes at the scene to revive Ahern. He was then transported to the New Britain hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

According to his obituary, Ahern was devoted to his family and enjoyed entertaining his friends at dinner parties. He leaves behind his wife Josephine and two sons, Chad and Craig. He was a graduate of E.C. Goodwin Tech and a member of Saint Paul Church of Kensington. Starting in 1996, he worked for Big Y supermarket, most recently as store director in North Branford. He was described as an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors.

 

A service was held July 2 at the New Britain Memorial and burial followed at Fairview Cemetery, New Britain.  Donations in his memory may be made to an educational fund for his sons.