Kenneth Berwick, 83, of Smithfield, died Monday, August 27, 2018 in his home after a battle with cancer. He was the husband of the late Anna (Masi) Berwick, the father of Christina Cipolla, the father in law of Christian Cipolla, and the grandfather of Rebecca and Julia Cipolla. Kenneth also was the brother of Robert Berwick and the late Douglas and Richard Berwick.
Kenneth grew up in the Darlington section of Pawtucket and had a very happy childhood playing along the banks of the Ten Mile River and in the athletic field near his house. He graduated high school in 1953 and then enlisted in the Marines from 1954 to 1957 where he was last stationed as a Message Center Man at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, California. After his military career, he returned home to Pawtucket and attended Rhode Island College. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in education and then taught for the Lincoln School Department for nearly three decades. He earned his master’s degree in Science from Syracuse University in 1969 and his CAGS from Rhode Island College in 1993. While he was at Syracuse, he met his wife Anna while on a trip home during Columbus Day weekend, 1968. He then returned to RI every weekend from Syracuse to visit with her earning him the “Commuter Award” from his fellow classmates at the ceremony at the end of his graduate program. Kenneth and Anna were married in July 1969 and had their honeymoon in Syracuse as he had one more course to finish up over that summer.
In his retirement, Kenneth took care of his wife Anna until her passing, tended to his rental property and his tenants, and traveled to England and Scotland with his nieces, his sister in law, and her grandchildren. A prolific writer and avid follower of national and local politics, he submitted numerous letters to the editor to various local newspaper publications. Kenneth loved spending time with his grandchildren and helped his his daughter and son in law tremendously in raising them. He was very supportive of his grandchildren’s love of soccer, and other athletic endeavors, and attended countless games and tournaments.
Kenneth was extremely knowledgeable about current events and was very friendly to everyone he encountered. He loved to chat with family, friends, neighbors, and people in the community. He led by example and taught his family to always have consideration for other people and to be kind and respectful to all. Kenneth was a man who truly enjoyed helping people. He would always say “be good” when saying goodbye to his family. Although he could not speak towards the end of his life, it was clear that he truly appreciated the kindness, concern and care given to him by the staff from Bayada Home Health Care and Hope Hospice. He was especially fond of Ashley, Marissa, Pauline and Emos and his family can not express in words how grateful they are that these individuals entered into his life to help him and his family.
Funeral services were private. Donations in his memory may be made to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.