Kenneth R. Chadwick, 77, of North Main Street, Waterbury, passed away in the comfort of his home and family on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Born in Berkshire on October 13, 1933, he was the son of the late Fay and Henrietta (Archambault) Chadwick. On January 31, 1953, he married the former Janet G. Martin in Johnson.
Ken was a 1951 graduate of Enosburg High School and continued his education at Johnson State College where he received his bachelor of arts degree in education in 1955. He later earned his master’s in education from the University of Vermont.
Ken began his long teaching career in Marshfield where he also served as the head coach for the varsity basketball team that won a state title under his leadership. He held teaching positions in the towns of South Royalton and Norwich before coming to Waterbury High School. Here in Waterbury he was a teaching principal and was very proud of being instrumental in starting the school’s first kindergarten program. With the opening of Harwood Union High School in Duxbury in 1966, Ken began teaching junior high mathematics and helped develop and organize the team teaching approach to education at the junior high level. While at Harwood he was also a driver education instructor and helped develop the driving skills course in the school’s parking lot. Ken retired in 1986 following 31 years of service to the education field.
His memberships included the Waterbury Jaycee’s and Lion’s Club, the Central Vermont Retired Teachers Association, St. Andrew Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and the Knights of Columbus – Father Galligan Council of Waterbury.
An avid card player, Ken also loved to hunt with his sons at their camp in Worcester, was a proud member of Red Sox Nation and enjoyed spending time with his family at Fairfield Pond where boating was a full-time recreational pursuit.
Ken is fondly remembered by his family for his devotion and love for his dear wife Janet and being the best dad, grandfather and great-grandfather his family could ever have hoped for. Ken spoke often of his great appreciation for the care and comfort his daughter Linda gave to him during his illness.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Janet Chadwick of Waterbury; their children, Linda Chadwick and her husband Richard Smith of Duxbury, James Chadwick and his wife Sheena of Waterbury, Lawrence “Larry” Chadwick of Hardwick, Brian Chadwick and his wife Carole of Orange, Jeffrey Chadwick and his wife Krista of Northfield, and Ronald Chadwick and his wife Becky of Waterbury Center; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Helen Kane and her husband Jim of West Suffield CT, and Betty Domingue and her husband Maurice of Sheldon Jct.; two brothers, Carlton Chadwick and his wife Carole of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and Harvey Chadwick and his wife Pauline of Swanton; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by two brothers, Eli Hubert Chadwick and Robert Chadwick.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury on June 1, 2011, at 11 a.m. with reception to follow in the church parish hall. Friends may call at the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury on May 31, 2011, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Duxbury. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Waterbury Food Shelf, 57 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676 or to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641 (www.cvhhh.org). To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook.
