Kenneth R. Milton of Great Island, Narragansett and formerly of Cranston and Smithfield, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024, at the age of 91. He was the only child of Roland and Virginia Milton and devoted husband of 67 years to Barbara C. Milton who predeceased him.
Ken spent his formative years in Cranston and summered with his family in Narragansett. He loved his summers in “Gansett,” fishing, sailing and working at the Co-op. He was a three-sport athlete at Providence Country Day school before graduating and continuing his education at Middlebury College.
During a stint in the Army, he began dating the love of his life, Barbara, whom he married in December of 1956. Ken graduated from Middlebury with a BS degree in 1957. His first jobs were working as a land acquisition specialist for several oil companies, living in various places around New England. Tired of being relocated nearly every year, Ken and Barb moved back to Rhode Island settling in Greenville where they would spend the next 40 years.
Ken was the principal owner of Gamwell & Ingraham Realtors, a position he took over from his dad, Roland in the early-1970's. Ken became a recognized expert Real Estate broker and appraiser. He took pride in his work, representing his clients with acute knowledge, forthrightness and kindness. Ken also served on the Providence Board of Realtor’s grievance committee actively protecting the interests of both the brokers and their clients. In addition to his business, he was an active member of the Cranston Rotary.
He was also very proud of his achievement as a 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish Rite. Ken will be remembered as an avid ice hockey fan. He was one of the founding members of the Smithfield junior hockey association, which was instrumental in getting the Ice rink built in Smithfield. He loved coaching the kids, especially the teenage midget division.
One of Ken’s biggest passions was sport fishing. He loved the ocean and spent most every weekend on his beloved “Rustyhook” plying the waters off Pt. Judith and Block Island, especially with his dad and son. His family and crew participated in many of the local offshore fishing tournaments, with the Block Island Billfish Invitational and the RI Tuna Tournament being his favorites.
Essentially retiring in 2000, Ken and Barbara built their forever home on Great Island. Ken’s dad had bought the home in 1946. It was always Ken’s dream to make his parents’ summer place into his retirement home, which he and Barbara did for the next 24 years. Affectionately known as “Barbie & Ken,” they were very active in their later years, traveling with many of their friends, including the Narragansett seniors. They particularly enjoyed cruising the Caribbean. Ken spent many a day fishing with his son or just rocking on his back deck, watching the boating activity on Pt. Judith Pond. Always up to having friends and neighbors drop by to discuss his love of fishing, boating or any other topic he could debate.
His children, Peter K. Milton and Cynthia Milton Mehnert will always remember his love of the water, his love of family and his life with Barbara in Narragansett. Barbie and Ken are reunited again. Ken is survived by his children Pete and Cindy, his son- in- law Eric, his grandchildren Kirsten and Bryce and his great-grandchildren Melody and Liam.
Visitation to which all family and friends are invited to attend, will be held on Monday June 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00pm in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date and place to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the activities section of the South Kingston Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 2115 South County Trail West Kingstown, RI 02892 or to The First Church of God chorus 209 Allen Avenue Peacedale, RI 02879 or The Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. Online condolences may be shared at www.THEBUTTERFIELDHOME.com
