Kenneth Swallow

Kenneth E. Swallow, Sr. passed away surrounded by his loving family Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Madigan Estates Nursing Home in Houlton.

Ken was born December 2, 1929 in Oakfield, the son of Harry Swallow and Thursie Parker Swallow. Upon graduating from Oakfield High School he enlisted in the U. S. Army serving in Germany. Ken came home on furlough and married his high school sweetheart, Priscilla “Sida” Brannen of Oakfield. They began raising their family in Oakfield. In 1962 Ken left for Connecticut to improve their lives. Once established he relocated his wife and four children to the Connecticut coast line. After several great years in East Lyme, Connecticut, Ken felt it was time to return to the beloved hills of Oakfield and so he moved his wife and six kids back home. Ken was good at the many jobs he held such as pulp cutter, factory worker, milkman, salesman, construction worker and electrician. He came from a great tradition of hunting, fishing, trapping and rural living. He passed those traditions on to his children. Ken loved picking fiddleheads, making sauerkraut and applesauce, growing gardens, watching the Red Sox and going to hunting camp with his friends. He was a good husband and a good father with an uncanny ability to always have deer meat in the freezer. Ken had a few limericks the family will always remember. One such phrase repeated during harvest to help his kids remember their stuff to take to the potato field was “Picky, Ticky, Din, Gloves”.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Sida; daughter-in-law, Carol Swallow of Oakfield; his son, Kilburn and his wife Abbie of Houlton, his son, Kerry of Brewer, his daughters, Lisa Gallagher and husband, Keith of Benedicta, Wendy Furrow and husband Rob of Merrill, and Jill Bustard and husband, Andy of Merrill; brothers, Mike Swallow of Houlton and Halden Swallow of Oakfield, and Donnie Swallow of Medway; and his sister, Laura “Sis” McLaughlin of Dyer Brook;. Ken will be missed by his 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Ken was predeceased by his oldest son, Kenny in 2011, his brothers, Pat and Joe and a nephew, Newman Gee of Saint Albans.

Funeral service was held at Dunn Funeral Home in Houlton on Saturday, March 26, 2016 with Rev. Sterling Lawrence officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oakfield Railroad Museum c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, 04730. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com.

The family would like to thank Dr. Abouleish for the things he always does so well and the staff at Madigan Estates for their extraordinary care and over the top compassion.