Kenneth Linder

Kenneth “Kenny” Linder, 80, of Sutton, Massachusetts and Boca Raton, Florida passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Florida home early Tuesday morning, July 20, 2021. Kenny was born in Worcester, the son of Emil G. and Ethel (Anderson) Linder and is predeceased by his ex-wife, Penelope “Pennie” Putnam Linder, a sister, Marie Linder. He is survived by the love of his life and devoted partner of 26 years, Pamela Jernberg, a son, K. Martin Linder and his partner, Carol Botty, a daughter, Joy Linder, 4 grandchildren; Rebekah, Lucas, Elizabeth Nydam, Mikaela Linder and a great grandson, Bentley Chartier.

He was a graduate of Sutton High School and lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He was owner and president of Linder’s Inc., 211 Granite St. Worcester where he worked his entire life. An auto parts business started by his grandfather in 1922, Ken grew up in the “junkyard” riding in the tow truck alongside his father, making forts out of dilapidated milk trucks, searching for treasure among wrecked vehicles. He truly loved going to work. There was never a day he rode up Granite St. that he wished he were going someplace else. Linder’s was his life and passion; cars, auctions, scrap metal. He took a junkyard and transformed it into a thriving, award winning, automotive recycling business.

Kenny thought of himself as “just a junkman”, but he was a mentor for many in the industry who credit him for helping with their success.  He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Automotive Recyclers Association in 2020 for his significant contributions to the industry. He was also a successful real estate developer. He loved sharing his own personal formula for success: “You need a little brains, a little balls and a little luck.”

Ken traveled extensively for business and pleasure. He loved the Florida sun, his homes in Boca and Sutton, boating on Singletary Lake, the Florida Intracoastal and piloting his boat Sagittarius to the West End in the Bahamas. Golden retrievers were his constant companions throughout most of his life. He never met a golden he didn’t love.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 10:00 am at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood St., Worcester, MA (with Covid-19 protocols in place). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA 01749,Click Here to Donate Online, Lake Singletary Watershed Association, P.O. Box 332, Sutton, MA 01590, Click Here to Donate Online, or a charity of your choice.