Kenneth Richard Kirry

Woodstock...Kenneth Richard Kirry, 89, passed peacefully at home, May 9, 2024, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin and her husband Joseph "Joe" Marinelli of Woodstock, his grandchildren Jonathan, Benjamin and his wife Kayla, and Victoria, his great-grandchildren, Casey, Shawn, Colleen, Chloe, and 1 great-great-grandchild Daisy. He also leaves his former wife Johanne (Trahan) MacDonald of Woodstock.  He was predeceased by his brother Glenn Kirry, and his sister Patricia Arel. 

He graduated from Cole Trade, Southbridge, MA as a machinist. He enlisted in the Air Force where he served  for 4 years from 1953-1957 as a machinist. While in the Air Force, he was stationed in several locations, one being in Goose Bay Labrador, where they had underground tunnels to get to other buildings because of the deep snow, and entertainment was watching the same movie every week. On a USO Tour, he was fortunate to attend a Bob Hope and Margaret Whiting Show, boosting the morale of the troops.  After his discharged from the Air Force, he married Johanne Trahan of Southbridge.  

Ken was a skilled machinist, he was gifted in designing and building packaging machines, to which his family got to test the packaging and enjoy the samples such as oodles of Red Hots candies. He sometimes built shipping containers for large, sensitive, classified components for government agencies.

 He retired to his favorite place, Conway NH and enjoyed working as a campground host at Jigger Johnson campground and then part time at Walmart. 

Ken was a car enthusiast and, in his youth, spent many weekends racing his car [and winning many trophies] at places including Thompson Speedway. Ken was an avid outdoorsman, spending almost every weekend year-round, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing and snow-mobiling. He loved traveling in his personally customized van across the country, most summers, for 3 weeks at a time. Ken would solo carry his canoe great distances to some favorite fishing spots into his early 80’s.  His love of the outdoors, encouraged many family and friends to share his love of nature. 

Funeral Services for Ken wiill be private. Sansoucy Funeral Home, 40 Marcy Street, Southbridge, MA 01550 is assisting with the arrangements.

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