Glover Gardner Jr.

Glover Gardner Jr., affectionately known as Sonny, passed away on March 5, 2026. Born on August 12, 1950, in Soperton, Georgia, he was the firstborn son of Hattie Mae and Glover Gardner Sr. Growing up in the segregated South, Sonny spent his summers working in tobacco fields from dawn until dark. He shared fond memories of attending 25-cent movies with his younger brother Greg, playing baseball and basketball, and navigating the realities of that era with a characteristic rebellious spirit.

In 1963, at age 13, Sonny moved north with his father to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where they joined his Aunt Atha Jefferson. The rest of the family soon followed, trading their modest Southern home for life in the PT Barnum Housing Projects. He attended Whittier School briefly before enrolling at Bassick High School, where his athletic talents shone. Standing 5'9" and 135 pounds, Sonny excelled in basketball, famously winning jump balls despite his size, and was a standout in track and field, particularly the 100-yard dash.

After graduating from Bassick in 1968, Sonny was drafted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam. Upon returning home, he met and married Denise, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage and raised two sons, Germar and Darryl, in Bridgeport’s North End. He worked for 25 years as a Senior Network Analyst at St. Vincent Medical Center, now Hartford Healthcare, and contributed passionate opinion pieces to the Connecticut Post on local politics and social issues. In retirement, he pursued photography, organized reunions for his PT Barnum family, mentored youth in city schools, and delighted in his role as “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren.

Sonny is survived by his loving wife, Denise Gardner; sons, Germar Gardner and Darryl (E’von’ne) Gardner; grandchildren, Poet, Kami, Darryl (DJ) Gardner Jr., Zemyah Roy, and Malakai Roy; brothers, Greg (Eva) Gardner, Andy (Mary Ann) Gardner, Tony (Ray) Gardner, Dan (Denise) Gardner, and Robert (Wanda) Gardner; sisters, Margaret Faye, Atha (Sparkle) (Rick), and Laura Ann; and a host of nieces and nephews who will carry forward his legacy.