Kenneth Paul PETERSON

PETERSON, Kenneth Paul
Kenneth Paul Peterson, 89, of Venice, FL, passed from this world on Saturday (August 13, 2011) after some months of illness. He was in the company of loved ones in the peace and comfort of his home. He was known as Ken, "KP" and, to some family and friends as "Kenny." To his grandchildren he was Papa. He was a loving and devoted husband, caring father, and compassionate friend. Born in New Britain, CT on January 3, 1922, he was the son of Nellie and Carl Peterson. He was married to Shirley Louise Crandall for 27 years until her death in 1970. Kenneth then married his second beautiful bride, Virginia Asher Platt, in 1971; they were married for 40 years. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Peterson of Venice, FL; his sister, Ruth Dorr; his three children, Sharon Smith, Bruce Peterson and Glenn Peterson of Connecticut; his two stepdaughters, Victoria Alden and Elizabeth Powell of Virginia; eight grandchildren, Dawn, Holly, Candy, Bill, Eva, Iris, Molly and Spencer as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Kenneth was a 1940 graduate of New Britain High School in Connecticut. When he resided in Newington, CT, he was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in New Britain, Connecticut and the Newington Volunteer Fire Department. Kenneth also served in the Navy during WWII in a variety of technical areas and was stationed in Hawaii and England. In 1985, Kenneth retired from a long and successful career as a Production Control Supervisor at the Stanley Works Hardware Division in New Britain, CT. Employing his 'Yankee ingenuity', he placed consistently among the top award winners in the Stanley Employee Suggestion Program. Upon retirement, his co-workers presented Kenneth with a yellow rock in recognition of his love for square dancing. He was dubbed 'the yellow rocker'. Kenneth and Virginia then moved from Simsbury, CT to Venice, FL and spent 25 more blissful, contented and active years. In his retirement years, Kenneth was fond of fishing at the family cottage on Greenwood Lake in Vermont, tennis, bridge, cribbage, other card games and woodworking. In his later years, Kenneth became a master jigsaw puzzler and an avid reader. He was also known to favor an occasional Dewar's at Betty's. Kenneth always made it his priority to be a helpful neighbor and was known to serenade 'the light of his life', Virginia, with his crooning.
A private, Graveside Service will be held in Simsbury, CT at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be sent to Tidewell Hospice, Sarasota County, Philanthropy Dept., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 or at http://tidewell.org/. Please visit Kenneth's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.