Kenneth A. Maxwell

Kenneth Allen Maxwell, 86

May 1935 – Jan. 4, 2022

Ken died at Yale New Haven Hospital after a 3-1/2 week siege fighting an infection.  He put up a good fight.

Ken was born in Columbus. OH to Mary Rife Maxwell and Albert A. Maxwell and grew up in Camp Hill, PA. The recipient of a NROTC scholarship, Ken graduated from Tufts in 1957 embarking on a Naval career. After flight training he flew helicopters, serving as a search and rescue pilot, a flight instructor in Pensacola,   and  a year in Iceland searching for Russian submarines as an ASW pilot. He received a Sikorsky “S” for rescuing scientists from the newly emerged Circe volcano.

 When American Airlines offered him a position he became a Naval Reservist retiring with the rank of Commander. He served for a time as the base Commander at Lakehurst Naval Air Station.  He flew for American for 19 years, taking early retirement to spend more time with his family and pursue his many interests.

Ken was an avid sailor and racer.  He and his wife, Arlene, won many, many sailing awards on their yacht the Last Drop. He served as the chair of the Killingworth CT Inland Wetlands Commission and was the fundraising chair for the construction of the Killingworth Library. He was able to raise over a million dollars from a community of about 5,000 folks. Ken loved gardening and was a member of the Block Island Gardeners, taking pride in selling excess produce for the benefit of the Mary D Fund.

He leaves his wife Arlene Tunney, son Allen A. Maxwell (Cathy), daughter Wendy Koke (John) and eight grandchildren, Ben Nelson, Kenneth Daniel Maxwell, Caitlin Hoffman, Rebecca Koke, Ben Koke, Mary Koke Caillo, Andrew Koke, and Hannah Koke.

In lieu of flowers contributions to the Mary D Fund or the Block Island Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

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