WESTFIELD – Kenneth S. Fellows of Westfield, Massachusetts passed away at his home surrounded by his family in the early hours of Friday, February 16th, after a 
valiant six-month battle with glioblastoma.
Born July 5th, 1950 in York, Maine, the son of Paul K. Fellows and Anne Morgan Fellows, Ken grew up in Kittery, Maine. While in high school at Robert W. Traip Academy, Ken was active in several varsity sports. He was always drawn to the water. He had been a member of the Pepperell Cove (water) Ski Club in Kittery Point and participated in an honors marine biology program. After graduating in 1968, he spent one semester at the University of Miami, before enlisting in the U. S. Coast Guard at the height of the Vietnam war. His four years’ service was primarily on the Japanese island of Hakkaido, assigned to the LORAN station. In 1973 he moved to Westfield and began working at Westfield Chemical, later RPM Industrial Coatings. In his 42 years with the company, he worked in many capacities from developing and testing products in the lab, to quality control, and lastly as a sales rep/technical support for customers across the U.S. and Canada. Also, during that time, he earned an Associate’s Degree from STCC and a Bachelor’s Degree from Westfield State College, where he met his future wife in a Winter Ecology class.
After retiring in 2015, Ken pursued many interests including woodworking, gardening, stained glass and mosaics. One of his favorite pastimes was riding his motorcycle, feeling the wind on his face and listening to Jimmy Buffett and Lynard Skynard tunes. He enjoyed traveling, with annual family vacations at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire and a day trip up to Nubble Light in York, Maine, his favorite spot. A couple times each year he, his wife, and a group of close friends would travel to Mexico. Closer to home, he took pleasure in the crafting of artisan beers, spending many hours with his Skyline Beer Company family in Westfield. There he loved the beer, the food, but most importantly, the people.
Ken was known by many names: Dad, Grampy, Uncle Ken, the Bear, Papi, and Uncle Kenny. Besides his wife of nearly 40 years, Laura Jocelyn Fellows, he is survived by his son, Mathew Fellows, daughter, Kelly Fellows, grandson, Kason Fellows, brothers Kevin (Shary), and David Fellows, and sister, Diane Fellows Smith (Nathaniel). He also leaves behind one sister-in-law, Cindy Jocelyn Climo (David), three nephews, one niece, three grand nephews, many aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as countless friends.
The family would like to thank the teams at the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, Care One Redstone, Baystate Home Hospice Care, and Homewatch Caregivers for their professionalism and compassion in caring for Ken. Contributions in his memory may be made to The D’Amour Center, c/o Baystate Health Foundation (280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199) or to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 624 College Highway, Southwick . In the spring, burial will be at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, followed by a celebration of his life.
