Obituary of Kenneth R. Blackmer, Jr.

Kenneth R. Blackmer, Sr., 72, of Woodstock, died Monday afternoon at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Janet (Miller) Blackmer. He was born October 24, 1933 in Pomfret, son of the late Raymond and Bella (LeFebvre) Blackmer. He had made his home in Woodstock most of his adult life. Ken was a tractor trailer driver, and a life member of Teamsters Local 493. He also worked several years for Rawson Trucking, retiring in 1996 due to poor health. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the US Navy, participated in the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Waldron DD 699. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1954 and was presented with the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Service Medal. Ken will be greatly missed and remembered most for his love of family, home, and mischievous sense of humor, love of Chevys, tractor trailers, country music and family gatherings. In addition to his wife he leaves his daughters: Lynn M. Frink and her husband Robert of Woodstock; Patricia A. Neely and husband Kim of Woodstock; Lisa J. Smith and husband Gordon of Woodstock; a son, Kenneth R. Blackmer, Jr. and wife Darcee (Bibek) Blackmer of Woodstock; a sister, Margaret Peterson of Woodstock; a brother, Harmon Blackmer of Brooklyn; his ten loving grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Erica, Colleen, Lindsey, Michelle, Lauren, Kenneth III, Emily and Hailey, and two great grandchildren, Jocelyn and Riley. He was predeceased by siblings, Raymond, Robert, Wayne, Ronald, Joan Carlson and a soninlaw, Gary Foisey. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday at 10:30 am in ST Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam. Burial with Military Honors in Elmvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society. To share a memory with his family Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com