John Eric Kent, Sr., a longtime resident of Winchester, died Friday, March 24 at the age of 78.
Born and raised in Bronxville, N.Y., Mr. Kent met his future wife, Barbara (Taggart), in 1947 while both were on college break and working summer jobs at Craigville Beach on Cape Cod. They were married two years later while Mr. Kent was completing his studies at Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1951 with an MBA.
After residing in Hanover, N.H., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Wenham, Mass., the couple settled in Winchester in 1959 in the house where they would raise seven children. Mr. Kent was surrounded by his wife and family when he passed away at his home last Friday afternoon.
Mr. Kent was an avid traveler. His work as an industrial and economic development consultant at Arthur D. Little, Inc., took him around the world. He traveled extensively with his wife as well, on trains across the U.S., on boats and small ships on the Mississippi River, Alaskan waterways, and major rivers of Western and Eastern Europe.
His favorite way to travel was along America's highways and roads - and back roads (he was notorious for his penchant for "shortcuts" which typically proved anything but). The most memorable road trip came in 1967, when Mr. Kent loaded his wife and seven children (ranging in age from 2 to 17) aboard a rented motor home and spent six weeks driving across the country, with frequent stops to have the balky vehicle repaired. He also loved road trips by car across northern New England, the western and Plains states, Alaska, and northwestern Canada. Such trips usually included stops for trekking into the woods, exploring mountains, or fishing for trout and bass.
His interests included woodworking, gardening, photography, reading, and the Red Sox. He was an extremely active alumnus of Dartmouth, attending and helping to organize class reunions and other activities, and serving as class secretary up until the time of his death. He remained loyal to his high school as well, and played a lead role in organizing his Bronxville High School 50th reunion. He was also very proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
Mr. Kent derived great pleasure from his grandchildren, spending much time with all of them and entertaining them with his jokes and stories. “Come again when you can’t stay so long,” was his signature farewell to his grandchildren, who loved to visit often and were always delighted by the remark.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Kent is survived by his children and their spouses -- Anne Kent and Michael Mendelsohn of Wellesley; Susan Kent and Anne Davidson of Lyons, Colorado; John Kent Jr. and Denece Ryland of Milton; Peter Kent and Jane Spalding of Acton; Peggy and Christopher Kinton of Winchester; Katharine Kent of Acton; and William Kent of Sandpoint, Idaho. He also leaves his grandchildren Erika and Elizabeth Kent Mendelsohn, Benjamin Kent, Eric and Victoria Kent, Michael and Jillian Kinton, and Joseph, Jack, William and Victor Otero. He is predeceased by his mother, Margaret Ley Kent of Bronxville, and his granddaughter Elisa Kent Mendelsohn.
He was a well loved and kind man who created fond and joyous memories for all those who knew him.
A memorial service will be held in the Winchester Unitarian Church, 478 Main St., Winchester on Wed. March 29th at 2PM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift in Jacks name to Middlesex East Visiting Nurses Assoc., 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.