Kenneth Duggan Backman

Kenneth Duggan Backman 

Cheshire, Connecticut - Kenneth Duggan Backman, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Marbridge Assisted Living and Memory Care in Cheshire surrounded by his wife and daughters.

A Connecticut native, Ken was born on January 26, 1948, in New Haven, the son of the late Kenneth and Rita (Duggan) Backman. He grew up in West Haven, CT, attended Notre Dame Catholic High School and earned both his Bachelor’s (Quinnipiac University) and Master’s degrees (University of New Haven) in Business and Marketing.

Ken was passionate about sport cars and tires. As Director of Sales and Marketing for Pirelli-Armstrong Tire Corporation, he traveled the world – often to Italy- where he led their international sales and marketing for high-performance racing tires and worked closely with R&D to test drive them on high-speed circuits.

He had a genuine love for history. He was an avid reader of American history and could name every battle of the Civil War by heart. His appreciation for early antiques, and the restoration of Early American ship paintings, reflected his respect for the craftmanship and the stories they carried. He was an avid fly-fisherman, often tying his own fishing flies. His family will remember him for his gentleness, sharp wit, and generous sense of humor.

Ken is survived by his wife, Lauren McNeil Backman, and his twin daughters, Dr. Ainsley Backman and Ashleigh Backman. He also leaves his brothers, Keith (Shayleen) Backman and Kris (Sharilee) Backman, his brothers-in-law, Craig (Amy) McNeil and Edward (Legs) (Alexis) McNeil and six nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Dr. Karen Backman; brother, Kevin (Janet) Backman; and parents, Kenneth and Rita Backman.

The family extends its most sincere gratitude to the staff at Marbridge Assisted Living & Memory Care for their exceptional care, kindness and compassion.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm at the at Alderson Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S Main Street, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 5:15 pm. On Friday, November 14, 2025, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Father John Gwozdz at 10:00 am. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 am and proceed to St. Bridget of Sweden Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire, CT. Committal will be held at the convenience of the family in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, PO Box 457, Cheshire, CT 06410 or Franciscan Home and Hospice Care, 267 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451.