Obituary of Carl William Zirkenbach

Carl William Zirkenbach, 91, of Marlborough, husband of Clara Keith Bolles, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29. Born in Hartford on July 10, 1924 to the late Carl H and Caroline Neuschler Zirkenbach, he grew up in Glastonbury and was a graduate of Glastonbury High School, Class of 1942. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater as a quartermaster aboard the USS Tern, homeported out of Pearl Harbor. After the war, he returned to Glastonbury and married his high school classmate, Peggy Thienes. He went to work as a salesman for the Fuller Brush Company and was widely known in the region, long after he left the company, as “the Fuller Brush man.” In 1960 he followed his dream and purchased the Hall Farm in Marlborough. With a unique vision and great determination, he transformed the old cow barn on the property into what eventually became the Marlborough Country Barn, New England’s premier home furnishings shopping destination. Carl was also a founding partner in the Saybrook Country Barn in Old Saybrook. In addition to his wife, Carl leaves a sister, Marion Zirkenbach Hallas of Glastonbury; a daughter, Debbie Zirkenbach Leonard of Colorado, formerly of Middle Haddam; son, Carl D Zirkenbach and his partner, Karen Goguen of Colchester, with whom he made his home for the last four years; grandchildren, Kevin MacGranor and wife Michele of Marlborough, Sarah MacGranor Bangert and husband Mark of Colorado, and Karly Zirkenbach of Colchester; and great grandchildren, Madelyn and Scott Bangert. Carl’s stepchildren and their families include Richard Bolles Jr. of Dennis MA, Susan Petell of East Hampton, Kathy Bolles of Glastonbury, Keith Bolles of Essex and James Bolles of Old Lyme. A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church of Marlborough, 35 South Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Neipsic Cemetery in East Glastonbury. There are no calling hours. Carl had been an active member of the community and his church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Congregational Church of Marlborough, PO Box 57, Marlborough, CT 06447. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.