Kenneth H. Phelps, age 94, of Presque Isle, Maine and Manlius, passed away on Sept. 4, 2016. Born April 21, 1922, in Hartford, VT, Ken was the son of Edwin and Helen (Barrows) Phelps and grew up in Windsor, VT. Ken enjoyed telling of his first trip outside the state of Vermont at age 16 with a press pass to attend and report on the 1939 Worlds Fair in Queens, N.Y. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Syracuse University. He served with the Seventh Armored Division, 33rd Engineers Battalion in the U.S. Army during WWII and was in the Battle of the Bulge in St. Vith, Belgium in 1944. Ken began taking photographs and developing them himself at an early age and continued during his career as a teacher of seventh grade math and science and, later, as junior high and middle school vice principal and principal at his beloved Wellwood School in Fayetteville. Ken could fix anything and had an awesome workshop where he fixed bikes and did woodworking. He is remembered for his “Vermont” sense of humor, his kindness and respect for others and his enjoyment of SU Sports. Ken married Ada Sanderson Phelps in 1948 and the couple enjoyed serving their church and community, traveling, family camping, building their home in Manlius and shared a strong faith in Christ.
Besides his wife of 68 years, Ada, he leaves: son, Kenneth E. Phelps and his wife, Carolyn, of Presque Isle, ME; daughter, Lorraine T. Huffaker and her husband, Bruce of Cromwell, CT and son Bruce E. Masi-Phelps and his wife, Mary, of Westwood, MA; seven grandchildren, Jason, Amie, Stephanie, Sandra, Patrick, Matthew and Andrea; four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Addison, Reid and Grant; one niece and many nephews. He was predeceased by his two sisters and their husbands, Virginia Phelps Gile and Homer, and Jeanne Phelps Porter and Kenneth. The family would like to thank the staff of the Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center and Leisure Village Assisted Living for their kindness and care.
Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Mapleton United Baptist Church, 1633 Main St., Mapleton, ME.. Calling hours: noon to 1:30 p.m. at the church.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Mapleton United Baptist Church, PO Box 174, Mapleton, ME 04757 or the First Baptist Church of Manlius, 408 Pleasant Street, Manlius, NY 13104.