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Klein founded the landmark store in 1937 on Main Street with his parents, Henry and Ada. They sold books, personalized stationery, photography supplies, electronics, archery equipment, gift items and much more.
When it closed in 2004, letters to the editor lamented the loss and recounted various anecdotes about Klein's and its role as a kind of community center in town.
One reader related the experience of finding the late actor and Westport resident Paul Newman chatting about a particular book with ABC Wild World of Sports commentator Jim McKay in an aisle of Klein's, in a comment on Westportnow.com.
Born in Queens, N.Y., Klein was a community booster and supported organizations such as the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, United Way, Westport Little League and the building of the new library. He was also a co-founder of KEW Photolab in Norwalk.
Klein is survived by his wife Phyllis Dennis Klein of Westport; his sister, Rosalind Tobin of Trumbull; his daughters, Carol Klein of New York, N.Y., Susanne-Klein Hertzel (Bob) of Weston; his son, Kenneth Klein (Carol) of Trumbull; four grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; grand nephews and nieces; great grand nephews and nieces; and many cousins.
Calling hours will be Sunday, April 14, from 2 to 5 p.m at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Klein, 3080 Sturges Highway, Westport. Funeral Services will be Wednesday April 10, at 10 a.m., at the Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plain Road, Westport. Interment will follow at the Beth El Cemetery on Richards Ave. in Norwalk.
The Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
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