Kenneth L. Farwell

Lakeville- Kenneth L. Farwell, 92, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Sharon Health Care Center, surrounded by his loving family.

        Kenneth was born in Brockton, MA, on April 24, 1931, son of the late Junia Farwell and had been a lifelong area resident. He got his first job at 14 mowing grass with his own equipment and at 15 he got his second job at House of Herbs. At 17, he joined the Army and served during the Korean War from 1949-1952, serving in a mortar battalion and the 278th Regimental Combat team. His best friend, Don Hoysradt, who he joined the army with and was deployed with, was killed in Korea. After returning from Korea, he worked for the railroad and later had several jobs over the years including delivering groceries, owning a soda company, working at Pfizer’s in Canaan from 1955-69, and Becton Dickinson from 1969-85, at which point he moved to Las Vegas. In the 1950s, Ken was president of American Legion Post 70 in Salisbury and served for many years as the Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade. Ken was a founding member of the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service and was a member of Lakeville Hose for a few years. He spent 17 years at Lime Rock Park running Tuesday and Friday practices. He enjoyed collecting coins and eagle memorabilia.

        Survivors include four children, Kate L. DeVries and her husband, Dale, of Falls Village, Karen S. Hansen and her wife, Allie, of Lakeville, Nancy Shapcott and her life partner, Andy, of Lakeville, and Kenneth Farwell, Jr., and his wife, Patty, of Cairo, NY; two siblings, Dave and Carol; 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Kenneth was predeceased by his first wife, Lucy (Lovett) Farwell; his second wife, Arlene, three children, Michael, Donald, and Wendy; his oldest grandson, Michael Farwell, Jr., and five siblings, Sue, Butch, Red, Becky, and Irving.

        The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Sharon Health Care Center, and his caregivers while still at home, Patty, Tammy, Tina, and Vanessa, for the love, kindness, and care shown to Kenneth during his illness.

        Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 1:00p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville. Full Military honors will follow. Friends may call Saturday from 11:00a.m. until the time of services at Ryan Funeral Home. Following the services, the family invites you to attend a reception at the Lakeville Fire House, 4 Brook St., Lakeville.

        In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance (salisburyambulance.org/gifts) or Lakeville Hose Company (lakevillehose.com)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth L. Farwell, please visit our floral store.