Kenneth ‘Ken’ Robert Larsh, 59, of Port Charlotte, passed away in his home on Saturday, September 14, 2019 after a tumultuous battle with colon cancer.
Ken was born in Providence, RI, the second child of Robert ‘Bob’ Larsh Sr. and Maria Dorothy ‘Dottie’ (Viera) Larsh and grew up in Johnston, Rhode Island with his siblings Laurie Ann, Bob and Rosemary. His father introduced him to woodworking at a young age and Ken’s passion was found. While attending high school, he worked as a cook at J&D’s restaurant where he met Francine Downs. The two have been together since and were married on May 1st, 1982.
Ken started his construction company in 1982. He was passionate about woodworking and became a master at his craft, building furniture and homes for family and friends. In 1985, Ken and Francine moved to Chepachet, Rhode Island. They spent their time skiing in the winters in Maine and Vermont, and the summers on their sailboat in Narraganset Bay; always surrounded by their large circle of friends.
In 1994, Kendra Rose was born and Ken began working with his brother Bob, as a draftsman for Bob’s architectural stonework company, Cad Tech. The brothers worked together on many projects including the Pentagon in Washington DC and several other buildings in Boston and New York City. During Ken’s complete remodel of their Chepachet home, Jenna Marie was born in 2000 and came home on Ken’s 40th birthday.
In 2005, the four moved to Port Charlotte, Florida where they built a home in South Gulf Cove and Ken began working for All Phase Construction. Ken loved his new Florida life; spending his weekends on his boat, fishing, or at the beach. He also loved music, and could often be found blaring it through the house or picking at his guitar. He enjoyed company, and his home was always full of it; a welcoming place for their family up north and their friends from town.
One of Ken’s greatest joys were his daughters, and he lent his talented hand to create many dance recital props and high school theater sets. He loved to watch his girls perform, and thoroughly enjoyed Jenna’s soccer and volleyball years in her youth.
In September 2018, everything changed for the family when Ken was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer which had already spread to his bones and liver. He worked until he couldn’t, and lived out the rest of his life surrounded by his music, his many friends from near and far, and his loving family.
Ken is greatly missed by his family, wife, Francine; daughters, Kendra and Jenna; his father, Robert Larsh of Sarasota, Florida, sister Laurie Ann Moody and her husband, Dan of Lakeridge, VA and brother Bob Larsh of Johnston, RI. He will be missed by his extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his mother Maria "Dottie" Larsh and his sister, Rosemary Larsh.
A memorial service will be held at Lemon Bay Funeral Home in Englewood, FL on Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 AM.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, September 28th at 10am in St. Michael's Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Visitation Friday, September 27th will be held from 4-7pm in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI.