Kenneth F. Lancaster (1924 – 2012)

Kenneth Lancaster

WILTON - Kenneth F. Lancaster, 88, of Wilton, formerly of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and Portsmouth, NH, died early Wednesday morning, June 27, 2012 at his home in Wilton, with his loving family by his side.

He was born on Apr. 30, 1924, in Amesbury, MA, a son of Roy S. and Margaret (Condon) Lancaster. He attended Amesbury schools and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick and later his Master’s Degree. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Ken served under General Patten as a tank operator. He was also very proud of the privilege bestowed upon him to serve in General Patten’s Honor Guard at his funeral.

Upon his return from the service and during his time in Canada while attending college, he met and later married the love of his life, Letitia Haines on Nov. 8, 1952 in New Brunswick.

Ken’s work in the U.S. Forest Service brought him to states throughout the eastern United States including Portsmouth, NH from where he retired in April of 1986. In his retirement, he and his wife moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick where they owned and operated a Christmas tree farm until 2005 when they moved to Wilton, ME to be nearer family.

He was a member of the Society of American Foresters, a local Maine American Legion and when in Ohio, the local Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed golfing and especially his work within the U.S Forest Service.

Ken is survived by his wife, Letitia Lancaster of Wilton, ME; a daughter, Cynthia Lancaster-Kennedy of Albany, GA; a son, Dr. James Lancaster and his wife, Rebecca of Wilton, ME; grandchildren, James and his wife Laura, Brian, Scott, Kara, Erica, Jay, Grayson, Grant, Taylor and Addison; sisters, Barbara Lancaster of Belleview, FL and Louise Danielson of Tallahassee, FL; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Kenneth G. Lancaster; siblings, Marguerite Wall, Roy Lancaster, Marion Lyons and Lorraine Tillman.

Services will be private. Interment will be at a later date at the Burtt’s Corner Cemetery in Fredericton, NB. Gifts may be given in his memory to the charity of choice, local food bank and/or Humane Society. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High St., Wilton, ME. www.wilesrc.com