Kenneth Barden

AUGUSTA ~ Kenneth Vernon Barden, 101, of Augusta, ME and formerly of Richford, NY died Sunday April 3, 2016 at the Heritage Living Center in Winthrop. Kenneth was born in Richford, NY, September 12, 1914 the son of Ezra and Maud (Jewett) Barden.

He married Idella Katherine Myers June 30, 1934. Kenneth and Idella moved to Maine in 1945 when Kenneth became manager of the Beacon Feed Store on Bangor Street. They founded and operated grocery stores, including Bardens Shop Rite in Augusta and Barden & Sons in Gardiner during the years 1950 to 1990. They were charter members of the Associated Grocers of Central Maine and Ken was a past Chairman of the Associated Grocers Board of Directors and Past President of Associated Grocers. Ken was Past Noble Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and was Past Worthy Patron and a sixty - year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a sixty-year member of the Masons, a fifty five-year member of the Scottish Rite, holding the 32nd Degree and a fifty-year member of the Shrine. He was also a founding and lifetime member of the Fox Glen Snowmobile Club. Mr. Barden was predeceased by Del in 1997 and an infant son, John Leon Barden in 1938. He is survived by two sons, William F. Barden, of Augusta and his companion, Jeannine King, of Fairfield Center and Thomas A. Barden and his wife, Christine, of Wayne; one brother, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Relatives and friends may visit at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St, Dryden, NY, Friday, May 20, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Burial will Saturday, May 21 at 10 AM in Highland Cemetery in Richford, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ken's name to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.perkinsfuneralhome.com