Kenneth E. Vinal
Tewksbury Post Office Retiree
TEWKSBURY: Kenneth Edmund Vinal, age 90, a longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2020 at the Heatherwood Independent Living Community in Tewksbury.
He was the beloved husband of Ilene Ruth (Wylie) Vinal, who passed away on June 5, 2009.
Born in North Chelmsford on September 21, 1929, he was the son of the late Walter and Bertha (Morrison) Vinal.
Ken attended Chelmsford schools and graduated from Chelmsford High School.
Following his high school years, he served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. In 1951, he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. He received several decorations for his active duty service including the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Prior to his retirement, he worked as a Letter Carrier for the Tewksbury Office of the U.S. Postal Service.
Ken was a member of the Wamesit Lodge AF & AM of Tewksbury, where he served as Past Master, and an integral member of the Building Committee which oversaw the design and construction of the present Lodge located on Victor Drive.
In 1990, he and his late wife retired to Southern Pines, NC, where he joined the Marine Corps League and oversaw the Toys for Tots Program.
Ken enjoyed military history and was anxiously awaiting the birth of his twin great grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter, Linda R. Holden and her husband Mark of Tewksbury; his grandson, Andrew Holden and his wife Caitlin of Nashua, NH; his sister, Ruth Bisbee of Laurinburg, NC; his three nieces, Karen Lighthall, Donna and Barbara Vinal, and their families; two nephews, Bruce and Jeff Bisbee, and their families.; also numerous extended family members and friends.
Ken was the brother of the late Harold Vinal.
Due to current public health Covid-19 restrictions, services for Ken will be private. Interment will take place at Tewksbury Cemetery. Those who wish may honor his memory by making a donation to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Attn: Gift Processing Administrator, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172-1776 or online at www.toysfortots.org