NORWAY — Kenneth Kilgore passed away peacefully from dementia complications on Father’s Day, June 18, at home in the comfort of his bed with family and friends nearby.

He was born Oct. 25, 1927, in East Poland, in the front room of his parents’ home, the second child of Hobert and Gladys Kilgore. He graduated early from Edward Little High School in Auburn to enter the U.S. Army to fight in World War II. After the war he served in the Merchant Marine on the West Coast.

He then completed training through the GI bill at the New England School of Embalming in Boston, and worked for a short time at funeral homes in Brunswick and Augusta.

But Ken’s true calling came in 1950, selling cars for Howard and Louis Gayton at Twin Town Chevrolet. For the next 44 years, he continued practicing his love of the sale at Mountain Motors in Conway, N.H., and Aldrich Motor Co. in South Paris, which he acquired with Maynard Bessey to form Bessey Motor Sales. Many individuals contributed to his success as an automobile dealer including Rupert Aldrich, Maynard Bessey, Carroll Moir, Bill Collins of Louisville, Ky., Phil Cross in Littleton, N.H., and the current owners of Bessey Motors, Gene and Ellen Benner. The Benners were exceptionally close and supportive friends.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Abbie (Babs) Pulsifer, in 1950 and lived in the South Paris/Norway area for more than 60 years. In 1994 he retired and found time to regularly hike on Streaked Mountain, take summer evening barge rides on Norway Lake, and travel for lunch with Babs throughout Maine and New Hampshire. He was especially fond of those barge rides in August with his sons, Jeff and Tek, their wives Edie and Anne, and his beloved grandchildren, Alex, Tait and Hobie.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Babs, and his sister, June Mills.

Special thanks for all the care and love shown by so many people in the community over the last nine years, but especially to Rose Turner and the wonderful staff at Boomer’s Restaurant and Cory Sumner and the fabulous folks at Maurice’s Restaurant. Kenneth and his dear friend Muriel Myers were most recently and lovingly supported by Holly Sessions, Kim Ayotte, Wanda James, hospice caregivers, and the Benners.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.