Kenneth R Smith Jr., 56, of Ledyard passed away unexpectedly at home on October 14, 2021.
He was born on May 14, 1965 to Kenneth and Florence (Parks) Smith. He will be missed dearly by his wife Crystal (Babonas) Smith whom he married at Saw Mill Park in Ledyard in 2016. They had an incredible love that matured over 16 years. He leaves behind his son, Kenneth R Smith III, his only biological child who he cherished with all of his heart. He was his world. The two had a bond like no other. He also leaves behind his beloved extended children: Arthur Anderson, Ashley Holdridge, Austin Holdridge, and Ally Holdridge; he loved and cared for them as if they were his own.
Ken is survived by eleven brothers and sisters:, Charles Smith of FL, Merlene Burtzloff of MI, Charlene Young of Stonington, Olin Paige Jr., Donald Paige Sr., Lewis Paige Sr., and Mary Namolek, all of Groton, Louise Rameriz of GA, Beverly Kores of Pawcatuck, and Richard Smith and Kenneth A Smith both of CA. He was predeceased in death by his parents and two sisters, Gloria Cal and Sandra Bates. He will be missed forever by his many special nieces and nephews.
For most of his life, Ken did property maintenance on many properties throughout New London County. He was employed in the 1990s at Colonial Manor in Groton before suffering multiple medical issues that forced him out of work.
Ken was not a person that you could forget. He lived his life making people laugh and leaving an impression on everyone he met. He could shock and awe anyone. He formed many friendships with mailmen, grocery clerks, and strangers on the street. Friendships with Ken were lifelong, if you had met him once and shared in his shenanigans, you were friends for life. He had a big heart and would do anything he could to help a friend in need, but only in the daytime. His evenings were spent with family and his dogs; Lulu and Reese; kicked back in his chair watching the television and his politics.
While Ken never shied away from work he couldn’t help but jump at the chance for a deal. He was often found adding to his collections of things that he found, traded, or purchased, always from a “friend.” Sanford and Sons had nothing on Ken Smith!
The family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St, Mystic on Thursday October 21, 2021 from 6-8pm. Final services will be held on Friday at 10 am beginning at the funeral home with burial immediately following at Avery Stoddard Cemetery, Ledyard.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with his family, please click the link below.