SOUTHWICK: Kenneth J. Ide, 86, (1934 – 2021) passed away on January 27, 2021 at Mercy Medical Center. Born in Springfield, MA on May 15, 1934, he was the son of the late Harry L. and Roxanne (Sansoucy) Ide and proudly served his country in the United States Navy’s Naval Construction Battalions, commonly known as the Seabees from 1953 until his Honorable Discharge from the Naval Reserve in 1961. He received the National Defense Service Medal.
After graduating from Springfield Massachusetts Trade High School and receiving additional training in the Seabees, Kenneth began his career as a self-employed skilled carpenter and custom craftsman. His many projects included custom built homes to fine kitchen cabinetry. He served his community on the Town of Southwick Board of Appeals and was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of the Lake Church assisting in building projects supporting the parish’s growth. He enjoyed spending time at his “camp” in New Hampshire swimming, ice fishing and snow mobile riding. Along with his beloved wife, Frances, they traveled throughout the northeast attending agricultural fairs which featured draft horse “pulling” contests. As an athlete, Kenneth played men’s softball well into his late 40’s and was a life-long sports fan rooting for the local teams which included the Red Sox and Patriots.
He was a member of the American Legion – Young & Richardson Post 59 in Hillsboro, NH, the Eastern Draft Horse Association, the NY State Draft Horse Association and the Washington NH Snow Riders.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings Harry Ide, Jr., Ruth Borgatti, Eugene Ide and Barbara Kuhn. To cherish his memory, he leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Frances (September) Ide; his children Matthew Ide and his wife Marie Politis, Marianne Stowell and her husband Todd and Mark Ide and his fiancée Jeannie Heath; his granddaughters Devon Ide and Katie Stowell as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick. Committal Services and military honors will be held at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam following the Mass.
Memorial contributions in Kenneth’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com
