Kenneth Vento

Kenneth Vento, 61, of Foster, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024. He was the loving companion of Jason Preciphs of Foster.

Lieutenant Vento of the Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company was born on Halloween 1963 to Constance Lizotte and Paul Vento. He was a treat for everyone who came to know him.

Ken was raised in Bristol. He joined and served proudly in the U.S. Coast Guard for four of the best years of his life. Service on a cutter taught him how to sleep soundly through anything. He was honored to serve on the USCGC Eagle, America's Tall Ship. Life as a Coastie endowed Ken with a deep sense of honor and service.

Ken and Jason crossed paths in January 2013 and were best friends by April. Their life as a couple began November 8, 2016, and became the happiest years of both of their lives. Most of all Kenny loved their dogs, Bandit (Dito), Cleatus (the Magic Dog), and Bowen (Ken's canine twin).

In 2019, Ken and Jason moved to Foster, and they began transforming 'Precento Farm'. Ken loved their antique home and Foster's history. That same year, at 55, Ken decided he wanted to volunteer as a firefighter at the local station as a way to give back to the community that welcomed them. The Rhode Island Fire Academy is rigorous, but Ken persisted with flying colors, obtaining his certificate for Level I. He returned, completed Level II, then returned again to obtain his Hazardous Materials certificate. Ken was selected by RIDEM to train in wildfire responses. Ken highly valued and prioritized his role as a firefighter and first responder. He was never away from his radio and was proud to receive awards in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 for the station's most responses. Ken joined the Foster Preservation Society to help his friend Scott Knox. He enjoyed cleaning and preserving our historic cemeteries and was so surprised to be awarded as a 2024 Foster Citizen of the Year at the Foster Old Home Days.

Ken was a craftsman (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, anything mechanical), a master chef, and an artist. Every night he loved answering the puzzles on 'Wheel of Fortune' faster than the contestants, and most evenings he had the answer to the Final Jeopardy question. Ken enjoyed clamming, coffee with cream (no sugar!), hot sauce, hiking, camping, and watching the New England Patriots (reminding Jason when they were not at the stadium that the team could not hear him yelling at the TV). Ken loved driving the many sports teams for Academy Bus and his co-workers at the company.

Kenneth is survived by his partner in life Jason Preciphs (aka Roman Vento), his mother Constance Lizotte, and his siblings Scott Vento, Michelle Serbst, Michael Vento, Kevin Vento, John Vento, and Sandra Doucette, along with countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Christopher Vento.

Ken always asked -"Who's better than you?" Nobody was better than Ken. He poured his restless energy into helping others and making everyone smile and laugh.

A Celebration of Kenneth's Life was held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company, 86 Foster Center Rd., P.O. Box 63, Foster, Rhode Island 02825. Ken would ask you to consider volunteering in your community and if you live in Foster, at one of our Fire Companies, who would all love to have personnel and/or Associate Members.

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