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Kenneth A. Sargent

Kenneth A. Sargent died on December 16, 2013 at his home in Wilton. He was 95.

Ken was born in Elmira, NY and grew up in Boston. He attended Boston University where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Education, and graduated with a Master of Education degree in 1941. He married Marion Beach in 1945. They were married for 52 years before her death in 1997.

He spent his career in education, first as a Math teacher at Wilton High School, then as Teaching Principal and Head of the Math and Science departments. He ultimately was named Superintendent of Schools of SAU 63. In 1971 he left the Wilton School system to become Special Education Administrator in Westford, Massachusetts. He retired from education in 1984.

Ken served in the Army Air Corp, trained as a Priority Traffic Officer, and honorably served our country both overseas in Japan and at home in the National Guard. He retired as a Major in 1970.

Ken’s philosophy for a long life was to “never stop moving”. Well into his 90s he continued to go for walks, haul wood and do a few arm curls with hand weights that lived on a living room coffee table.

Although his wife oversaw the layout and planting of flowerbeds, Ken tended a vegetable garden throughout his life and in the summer he could often be found in a homemade, mosquito netted Army hat, watching over his plants. Woodchucks were the bane of his existence. He often shared his garden bounty with friends and neighbors, putting vegetables in a wheelbarrow and parking it out in front of his house with a ‘Free’ sign. On one occasion, the vegetables gone, someone took advantage of the ‘Free’ wheelbarrow. He then put out a ‘Please Return My Wheelbarrow’ sign, it reappeared a couple of days later.

Ken and Marion traveled the world after his retirement and spent the winter months in a Mexican village just north of Acapulco. He loved sports, was a smooth dance partner and enjoyed playing games like Balderdash and Taboo when he got together with friends or family.

Family members include; 4 children, Jinny Elliott and her husband Tom of Brighton, MA, daughter in law Carolanne Sargavakian, wife of Ken’s oldest son Ken (Sarge), who died in 2000, Susan Sargent of Portland, ME, and Jon Sargent and his wife Helen of Wilton; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-
grandchildren; nieces, nephews and countless friends.

Donations in Ken’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

A service celebrating Ken’s life will be held at the Unitarian Church in Wilton Center on January 25, 2014 at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in the Red House.