Obituary of Kenneth L. Sargent

Kenneth Louis Sargent passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 5th, 2025 with the love of his life Regina Sargent and daughter Pamela Ames by his side.

Ken was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb. 10th, 1945 to Horace and Lucille Sargent.

After graduating from Nichols High School in New Orleans Ken moved to Oklahoma and then to LA, California where he worked as an ambulance driver. When Ken and his buddy found a 1941 Chevy for sale in Culver City they pooled their money and drove their ‘41 home with no windshield in the pouring rain.

He enlisted and served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. It was at a social event that Ken met and fell in love with his wife of 56 years Regina DeCarolis. Soon after their courtship began Ken got his orders during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Alaska maintaining satellite towers for crucial communications during the war.

Kenneth and Regina were married in April 1969. They briefly lived in Oklahoma but then his dedication to his wife and young family kicked in as Ken made the decision to move back to Massachusetts where Regina could be near her family.

Ken worked for many years at Digital Equipment Company and had a great group of friends he would play softball with, go on biking and hiking adventures and even downhill ski and race with.

He dabbled in photography but his true passion was his ‘41 - so much so that there was a long-standing joke between him and Regina that he’d be buried in the coupe.
Ken was an avid member of the National and Massachusetts Street Rodder Association and most weekends you could find Ken at street rodding events all over New England. Ken loved all the big street rod events and with his matching teardrop camper towed behind them, trip tik in hand, the Sargents 3 saw the United States making amazing memories together.

Ken and Regina moved to Hope, Maine, and built their dream log home after retiring to be closer to their daughter and 2 grandchildren. Not one to sit idle, Ken got a job pumping gas at the Camden Irving station where he could sit with the boys, offer a funny quote to patrons or a biscuit to furry passengers. He loved all his granddogs through the years - always carrying treats or tennis balls in his Durango just for them.

You could find Ken at wrestling tournaments, baseball games, 4-H events, and basketball games - wherever his grandchildren were he would be there to cheer them on.
In true street rodder fashion, Ken loved going up to Winterport Drag strip to participate with the Gassah Guys and forming friendships with other area street rodders. Delanos Seafood was a favorite Wednesday cruise in spot for date night with Regina.

Anyone who knew Ken can attest to the kind and genuine person he was his entire life. His sense of humor and soft heart were just some of the things that made Ken such a true light to those around him. One of his favorite sayings was “I Refuse to Grow Up” and Ken truly was young at heart with eyes that always saw the best in people.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 56 years Regina T. Sargent, daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Richard Ames of Searsmont. Grandchildren, Jared Gilbert and Sydney Gilbert of Hope.

Funeral services will be held on Feb. 8 at 10 am at St. Williams Church in Tewksbury, Massachusetts followed by a true celebration of Kenneth's life starting at noon at the Tewksbury/Wilmington Lodge of Elks.

A summer cruise-in dedicated to Ken will be announced at a later date to be held in Maine.
Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in honor of Ken can do so to the Wounded Warriors Project.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com