12/15/2024
Farewell to one of Waterford's most creative and hard-working entrepreneurs, Ken Aldrich. [This photo and the text were previously shown in The Caledonian-Record.]
Kenneth Neil Aldrich, 95, of Waterford, Vt., passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Born in Whitefield, N.H., on June 1, 1929, the son of William Scott Aldrich and Nila Margaret (Smith) Aldrich.
On December 30, 1950, Ken married the love of his life, Henrietta Helen Noyes. Together they raised a family, and founded and managed a thriving business, Aldrich Formica Center. Ken taught Building Trades at Littleton High School and the Trade School in Saint Johnsbury prior to starting his own business. He was able to teach many students in the North Country to drive as a Driver’s Education Instructor.
Ken loved to travel, camp, and hike, visiting all 50 states and most of the National Parks. He loved building things to make life easier. He enjoyed playing cribbage, marbles, and cards and spending time with family. In 1984, Ken and Henrietta joined the Littleton Squares. For 32 years, they danced around the country building friendships and reaching the highest challenge square dance level.
Ken was always creating and finding ways to meet the needs of others. His love for woodworking became a mission to ensure that the church building was maintained. He was always repairing things and helping family and friends with projects to help make lives easier. Ken was the person everyone would go to for advice about starting a project from building a porch, to building cupboards and other projects for their houses as well as helping great-grandchildren with projects. No project was too big or small for him. He always worked hard and did these jobs with a smile.
Ken built many things but the most important thing that he built was his Legacy. He has been able to pass down his love of God and hard work ethic to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He has been a pillar of strength and resilience in all of our lives. He was able to lead us with patience and love that very few are capable of providing. He had a way of quietly supporting others to have their own thoughts and experiences. His strong, encouraging, and gracious love made him the leader and role model for many people.
Ken was predeceased by his wife Henrietta “Honey” Helen Aldrich, and one sister, Margaret Campbell. He is survived by his daughter Sharon Marie Bessette and her husband Ronald Bessette, daughter Carrie Ann Baron, son Gregory James Aldrich and his wife Shari Aldrich; nine grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; Bryan Bessette, his wife Hannah Bessette and their children; Peter Baron; Penny Young, her husband Joshua Young and their children; Pamela Adams, her husband John Adams and their children; Jennifer Anti, her husband Thomas Anti and their children’ Nicholas Bessette, his wife Jennifer Bessette and their children; Ginger Montminy, her husband Kevin Montminy and their children; Daniel Baron and his child; Tiffany Lasnier, her husband Jonathan Lasnier and their children.
Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation to Littleton Regional Healthcare, 600 Saint Johnsbury Rd, Littleton, NH 03561 https://littletonhealthcare.org/about-lrh/your-gift-matters/donate/ or Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 https://www.nchcvt.org/support/donate-today
To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com. Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.
