Brookfield - Kenneth E. Grimes, 88, of Gay Rd., passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Mabel F. (Lyons) Grimes.
Kenny leaves his son, Donald Grimes and his wife Sharon of Brookfield; two grandchildren, Derek and Brett Grimes; his sister Edna Thresher and her husband David, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his wife Mabel F. (Lyons) Grimes, and three siblings, Forrest, Warren, and Lester Grimes.
Kenny was born in Brookfield, the son of the late George and Gladys (Walker) Grimes. He was a life-long resident of Brookfield, and was an avid member in the greater Brookfield community for his whole life. After serving his country in the Korean War in the United States Army, Kenny returned home and found work at Gavitt Wire & Cable Company in Brookfield as a wire extruder. It was at Gavitt’s where Kenny met and eventually married the love of his life, Mabel F. (Lyons) Grimes in 1961 to whom he was married to for 53 wonderful years.
After a few years of being married to Mabel, they had one child, their pride and joy Donald Grimes. Kenny and Mabel enjoyed traveling all over North America together visiting Mexico, Hawaii, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, California, Alaska, and many more states and national parks. After decades of working at Gavitt’s, and 26 years as the Union Steward from 1972-1998, Kenny retired and filled his free time with more hours volunteering and spending time on hobbies or with his family.
For decades before and during his retirement, Kenny would carve and paint wooden birds and was an avid member of the Monson Wood Wackers Carving Club. He would repair or recondition just about anything from antique furniture to carving and re-leathering bellows. He was a Master Mason of the Hayden Lodge in North Brookfield for over 65 years. Throughout his life, Kenny could be seen at various local farmers markets or community fairs and festivals selling either his crafts or honey from him and Donald's honey farm. In 2012, Kenny was the recipient of the Lucy Stone Achievement Award by the Quaboag Historical Society where he was recognized as an individual with incredible citizenship in the greater community. Kenny was also heavily involved and dedicated to his church, the Brookfield Congregational Church where he served as a deacon there for several years. Kenny was very much into volunteerism and dedicated his time and expertise for decades on various boards, committees and community-wide events, projects, or celebrations. Kenny particularly took pride in serving as the Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day parade each year in Brookfield for many years and also playing as Santa Claus at the Brookfield tree lighting for nearly 60 years. When not volunteering, Kenny also enjoyed meticulously caring for his lawn, baking delicious foods from scratch, swimming, gardening, visiting friends and family, staying active, and in the summers going to the beach with his grandchildren. Most of all, the highlight of Kenny’s life was spending time with his family whom he loved dearly.
A Funeral Service for Kenny will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11:00AM in the Brookfield Congregational Church, 8 Common St., in Brookfield. Burial with Military Honors will be in Brookfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brookfield Congregational Church, P.O. Box 457, Brookfield, MA 01506.
Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting his family with arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at varnumfuneralhome.com
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