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BORN
1941
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
Richard Kent, Sr. Obituary
RICHARD B. KENT, SR, age 83 of Groton, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London.
He was born on February 1,1941 the son of Perley Kent, Sr and Inez Matteson Kent.
Richard was married to Virginia Akerman on July 6th in 1963.
He attended Robert E. Fitch High School and served in the U. S. Navy from to 1960 through 1964.
He was the owner of R. B. Kent & Son, Inc. Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning sales and service, serving many customers in Eastern Connecticut.
Early on in his career he taught for RSES, as well as, the Sub School in Groton. He was a member of the Groton Elks and Groton Heights Baptist Church and past president of the Groton Lions Club, the Groton Rotary Club and he had been a member and past commodore of the Shennecossett Yacht Club. His lifelong dedication to public service, the military and church were a prominent part of his contribution to the community, and his generosity of time and resources to all organizations were of utmost importance in his life.
R B is survived by his wife Ginny, his son Richard B. Kent, Jr of Gales Ferry, daughter in law Loretta, his daughter Lori Polakoff and son in law Phil, of White Hall, MD, by his sisters, Natalie Tognari and Nancy Adams both of FL and Barbara Garrison of OK, by his grandchildren; Tim Cross/Brittany, Justin Shayer/James, Ashton Flight/Ben, Abby Polakoff, and Bradley Kent/Meghann, as well as four great grandchildren Damien and Dean Cross, and Landon and Jaxson Flight. He is predeceased by his brothers, Perley, Jr and Edwin and his sisters, Patricia Sintak and Carol Mather. For his entire life, his big heart moved heaven and earth for his family and he will be sorely missed.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday May 21st, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm at Byles Funeral Home, Thames Street, Groton. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday May 22, 2024 at 11:00 am at Groton Heights Baptist Church, Broad St., Groton. Interment with Military Honors will be in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, Groton and Fellowship will follow at Groton Heights Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to the Groton Rotary Club, P.O. Box 798, Groton, CT 06340 or the Groton Lodge of Elks, 700 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Kent, Sr.
30 Entries
Kostas &penny Anastasiou
May 16, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Pat Kelly
May 26, 2024
Dear Ginny
My heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your beloved Dick. He was always fun to be around. He was a great help to Jim when Jim was Commodore at SYC. I will always remember his hardy laugh. May he rest in peace.
Pat Kelly
Betsy Moukawsher
May 23, 2024
We will all miss RB, but our memories of him will live on. Rest in peace my friend.
Kim Carter
May 22, 2024
He was a wonderful, thoughtful and caring man he will be missed My thoughts and prays for the Kent family
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Kate French
May 22, 2024
He was a kind and generous man. He will be missed as deeply as he was loved.
May 21, 2024
Lori and Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Yvette and Peg Ackley
Rosemarie Meenach (Phelps)
May 21, 2024
Virginia and family, so sorry for the loss of Richard. I knew him since Groton Heights School. Him and his sister Patty.Every time we had a problem with our refrigeration at Norms Diner, we would call Richard. Very sorry for your loss.
Megan Lagasse
May 21, 2024
We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. We will miss seeing him around the neighborhood
Lisa Malerba
May 21, 2024
Sending heartfelt condolences from Vinnie and Lisa Malerba. His visits to our farm will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Teri Schlosser
May 21, 2024
On behalf of all Eastern Connecticut Lions, District 23C, we send our sincere condolences to Lion Richard's entire family. Thank you for sharing him with the Groton Lions and for all his wonderful contributions to his club and his community, both near and far.
Sincerely, District Governor 23C Teri Schlosser
Donald Archer Jr
May 20, 2024
Growing up with all the Kent Boys I will cherish the memories I have of our friend , I will always remember the chickens that seemed to get loose I only did it once., A good man has left us but will not be forgotten god bless Don Archer Jr
Msry Stepanian
May 20, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was one of my favorite customers at the Hallmark store in New London. It's been a few years, but I remember he and his wife fondly.
Godspeed
Tony & Paula Timpano
May 20, 2024
Our sincere condolences to Ginny and the Kent family. May Dick Rest in Peace
Kathleen Pollard
May 20, 2024
My Sincere Condolences to Everyone!! A Family I Looked Forward to Embracing!! Always, Kathy P.
Robert/MaryAnn Cilley
May 19, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We are so deeply sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family
Nick and Lana Utz
May 19, 2024
Ginnny, Richie and the Kent Family,
We are so very saddened to hear of RB's passing. RB was the kind of guy who could light up a room with his humor. We will always remember him through his kindness and generosity to others, whether it be through Rotary, the Lions Club, or just out with friends. RB was a very special human being, and our lives have been enriched for having known him. We will surely miss him very much.
Nick & Lana Utz
Duncan Stoddard
May 19, 2024
RB was a wonderful friend. If you walked in the room and he was there, you felt better! He will be so missed in our community. Duncan and Lolly Stoddard
Jim Streeter
May 19, 2024
Thoughts and prayers go out to Ginny and the family.
We have all lost a wonderful and caring person - but he will never be forgotten.
I thank the Good Lord for having had the good fortune of being friends with him for so many years. RIP "RB"
Lenny Winkler
May 19, 2024
Dear Ginny and Kent Family
It is with much sadness to read of Dick’s recent passing. He was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed by many!
With my deepest sympathy, Lenny Winkler
Lou, Connie, Kim, Lance
May 19, 2024
Ginny, Rich, Lori
Mr.Kent- Dick was a dear friend. We´ll remember him for his kindness, generosity and FUN with love from our SYC days.
Lawrence Bentley
May 19, 2024
Ginny, Lori and Rich
Condolences from Judy and I to you and your families. We have known each other at least 50 years through the Shennecossett Yacht Club and have watched our children grow into adults. Dick and I particularly enjoyed time fishing together and I have some real good memories from out NL Tuna Club days. Our boats became very important parts of our lives and the Shennecossett Yacht Club the major factor. Dick was a member of our group of about 5 members who devoted the time and effort to the Yacht Club to help grow and stabilize SYC into the facility we know today. And by the way, I did not steal Judy from SYC, she came to Hilton Head willingly.
Larry Bentley and Judy Mclaughlin
Sandra Collins Mashner
May 19, 2024
Dear Ginny, my sincere condolences; sad to hear of Dick’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. May God give you peace, comfort and strength in the days ahead. I’ve thought of you often since our school days at Fitch.
Randy Pepo
May 18, 2024
Our deepest and warmest sympathies for Lori, Phil, and the rest of the family.
Randy and Angie
Marjorie Cusati Peickert
May 18, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Cheryl Burdick
May 17, 2024
Ginny,Rich, Loretta,Bradley, Ashton,Justin and all of the Kent family. My thoughts and prayers for your loss. He was a wo derful man and I am honored I k ew him. He will be missed by everyone who knew him
Rebecca Renski
May 17, 2024
I remember RB all the way back to my days working at Gulino's Bakery & Restaurant in Groton. He will be remembered fondly. Condolences to his family and may your fond memories comfort you.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Renski
kostas &penny anastasiou {charlies place restaurant}
May 17, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Carl Orsini
May 17, 2024
Our condolences to the Kent Family.
Joan Durant
May 17, 2024
Dear Ginny and family.
So sad to hear about your loss.
My thoughts are with you.
With fond memories.
Barbara Frucht
May 17, 2024
Dear Ginny, Laurie, Richard, Jr. So sorry to hear of Dick's passing, but am grateful we all saw each other, andf had a nice reunion. It doesn't make up for the sadness and loss, but please know my family, Marc, and Melissa send hugs and prayers.
Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results
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in Richard Kent, Sr.'s name
Memorial Events
for Richard Kent, Sr.
May
21
Calling hours
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Byles Memorial Home - New London99 Huntington St, New London, CT 06320
May
22
Funeral service
11:00 a.m.
Groton Heights Baptist Church
Broad St., Groton, CT