Kenneth G. Fletcher

Kenneth G. Fletcher, 50, Ret. 1st Sergeant U.S. Army, born Feb. 11, 1961, of Portland, loving husband to Marie Rodriguez Fletcher, died peacefully Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Kenny, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to Portland in 1969, with his family. He graduated from Portland Hogh School in 1980. He resided in Portland for the past 10 years with his wonderful wife Marie. Kenny was loved and respected by all his friends who were his extended family. He was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church of Portland.
He was a member of Teamsters Local 677 functioning as Union Steward while working for Suzio Construction Company since 1985. He was an avid motorcyclist and loved his 1982 Shovelhead, his 2006 Tour Glide, and his 1995 5.0 Mustang convertible. But his greatest love was spending time and taking long motorcycle rides with his adoring wife Marie. Everyone will also remember Kenny for his love of landscaping as well as the most manicured and enviable lush lawn in town.
His love for his country led him to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1981, with his first duty station being Fort Bliss, Texas, with the 3rd ACR. He was reassigned to West Germany with the 501st Transport Division AKA The Redball Express until 1984. Returning from Germany, he took a break from service and in 1987, enlisted into the United States Army Reserves functioning as a chauffeur for one and two star Generals. In 1991, Dester Storm, he was activated with the 1205th Rail Company. This company's primary mission was to supply 80-80 percent of ammunition to the soldiers operation in theater. Once released from active duty, he returned to chauffeuring. In 1993, he attended schools and became a certified instructor and subsequently a senior instructor for the truck drivers training course with the 1031st USAR schools. In 1996, he was reassigned as squad leader for the 220th Transportation Company in Springfield, Mass. While in the 220th, he was promoted to assistant truck master, then truck master. In 2002, he was assigned to the 94th RSC in Ayer, Mass., and functioned as operations NCO, then reassigned to the 310th Regiment in Fort Devens, Mass., where he was promoted to Master Sergeant. From late 2002, until 2003, he was activated to Fort Drum N.Y., to train the soldiers being deployed to Iraq. Once released from active duty, he returned to Fort Devens. In late 2004, he was promoted to 1st SGT and reassigned to Keene, N.H. with the 220th Transport Company. In 2005, after training for almost a year, he was activated to a tour of duty in Iraq. Kenneth led 167 soldiers in theater returning in August 2006, with no fatalities. In 2009, Kenny was honored with the addition of his name to the Portland Veterans of War Memorial Wall for his service in the U.S. Army. During his entire military career, he placed other soldiers before him to ensure their safety.
Besides his wife, Kenny is survived by his daughter Erin Fletcher of Windsor; his step-daughter Tabitha and her husband Daryl Sundberg of Marietta, Ga.; his loving sisters and brother, David and his wife Carmen of Middletown, Mary Elizabeth and her husband Oliver Dukes of Lithonia, Ga., Phillippia and her husband Marc DeNovellis of Rocky Hill; Three grandchildren, Sarah, Stephanie, and Einar. In Addition, Kenny leaves behind five nephews, Colin, Karl, Oliver, Brian, and Justin and many cousins as well as many, many extended relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father John Fletcher (2009) and mother Ivylin Fletcher (2011).
Funeral services will be held Saturday, at 11 a.m., in the Zion Lutheran Church. The Rev. James Reemts will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Swedish Cemetery. His family will receive relatives and friends in the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, on Friday, from 3-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Kenny's memory may be sent to the Zion Lutheran Church, 183 William St., Portland, CT 06480. For directions, or to leave a online expression of sympathy, kindly visit www.portlandmemoialfh.net.
Please sign the Guest Book at RememberingCT.us/middletownpress.