Richard Lane Ahern, a New Canaan resident since 1972, passed away on January 2, 2025. Richard, an entrepreneur in the paper industry, lived a full, vibrant and vigorous life. He loved his family, Catholic faith, friendships locally and those forged in his extensive business trips to the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa and the Caribbean.
Richard Lane Ahern
Born in New York City on June 5, 1929, Richard was the eldest of three to Katherine Sullivan Ahern and James Michael Ahern. Educated in Scarsdale, NY and Pittsfield, MA public schools followed by three Jesuit prep schools, Cranwell in Lenox, Mass, Loyola in Chicago and graduating from Fordham Prep in the Bronx. The multiple schools were the result of his father‘s untimely death shortly after the family moved to Chicago when he was sixteen. Richard, his mother and two sisters moved in with his uncle, an executive with International Paper (IP), in Hastings-on-Hudson. A hard worker like his Irish descendants, Richard’s summers were spent working at various IP mills, leading to his extensive career in the paper industry. A track star at Fordham Prep, Richard attended his beloved College of the Holy Cross where his track career blossomed. A lifelong voracious reader and likely best customer ever of the New Canaan Library, he loved Holy Cross’ rigorous academic standards. Graduating in 1951, Richard and his classmates were drafted by the Army during the Korean War though his flat feet got him sent to the Pentagon and not the Pusan Peninsula.
After his release from the Army, Richard joined International Paper’s training program which sent him across the United States and Canada. Though his time with IP and, subsequently, competitor Boise Cascade led to an extensive knowledge of all things paper-related, Richard’s direct, honest speaking style and temper were unsurprisingly incongruent with a large corporation. In 1969, Richard started Ahern International Sales Corporation, which flourished due to his hard work, focus on exporting to foreign clients, and innovative idea of handling delivery logistics. Richard forged lifelong friendships with his clients and associates over good meals and drink(s) in every major European city. A lifelong athlete and lover of physical work, his skiing prowess led to “work” ski trips across Europe with his clients i.e. friends.
The international bachelor life came to an end when he met Gail McIntyre, a fellow New York City resident and Pan Am purser who had traveled the world over. Discovering New Canaan during an engagement party, Richard and Gail moved to New Canaan in 1972 after their wedding at St. Paul’s the Apostle in the city. Keelin was followed by Brendan and then Ashling. Richard ran Ahern International from his office at 111 Elm Street. He loved working on the family’s property as his Depression Era upbringing kept him from ever hiring a landscaper, snowplower, or garbage service. Richard loved mowing the lawn with his beloved Locke lawn mowers and the fields on his red 1961 Ford tractor. All three children attended Holy Cross though they really didn’t have a choice. Richard made numerous lifelong friends serving the community as a volunteer fireman and later on the Fire Department Commission starting in 1984 and serving as Chairman from 1985 to June 1991. When he disconnected the Plektron, the volunteers’ notification radio, there was no better time spent than with his friends at the Old Faithful Antique Fire Engine Association despite his lack of mechanical skills. He was a director of New Canaan Bank & Trust, founded by fellow business-oriented residents.
Richard was a quiet philanthropist who never sought recognition nor spoke of his support of numerous Catholic charities and schools. His faith was always a guiding principal as he always attended Sunday mass at St. Aloysius.
Richard is survived by his wife Gail, children Keelin Kirt, Brendan Ahern, Ashling Besgen, nine grandchildren and his sister Susan Ahern.
A mass will be celebrated at St. Aloysius on Saturday, January 18th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the College of the Holy Cross track program or the Old Faithful Antique Fire Engine Company.
For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.