Kenneth R. Lafontaine

Kenneth R. Lafontaine, 80, of Ludlow, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.  Son of the late Albert and Yvonne (Normand) Lafontaine, he was born in Webster, MA on April 7, 1940.  His family moved to Fairview to be nearer to his father’s family. Ken graduated from Chicopee Comp in 1952. Ken met his first love at the Willow Theater in Willimansett.  He saw her standing in line and told his friend…”that is the girl I’m going to marry”.  He’d just turned 16 at the time.  He married that girl and they moved to Ludlow to raise their three fantastic children.  Ken worked as a tool and dye maker in several small job shops in the area.  He was very accomplished at his trade and proud of his work.  Ken was very involved in his parish community of St. Elizabeth’s teaching religious education for many years.  He also served as a Eucharistic Minister and a leader of the RCIA program and prayer ministry.  He also volunteer at the Hampden County House of Corrections in Ludlow teaching Bible study.

Ken loved the outdoors; he was the first leader of the Weblos at church, hosting the first meeting of the group in his basement.  He particularly loved camp outs with the group. He also loved hunting and fishing in Vermont with his friend Red.  He was a great carpenter, making his own kitchen cabinets and oak woodwork for his home.

Family was Ken’s greatest joy, he leaves his beloved wife of 61 years Nancy (Dascanio) Lafontaine; his son Glen Lafontaine and his wife Corrine; daughters Debra Lamb and her husband Ron and Tammy Deyo and her husband Chuck.  He also leaves his brother Robert Lafontaine and his 6 beloved grandchildren Kyle, Chelsea, Amber, Ashley and Zachary as well as his great-grandchildren Aiden, Madelyn, Olivia and Chelsea’s children who live out of state.  Sadly, he was predeceased by his brother Richard Lafontaine.

Walk-through, no contact visiting hours for Ken will be held Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 8:30-9:30 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Elizabeth’s Parish.  Burial will follow in Island Pond Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Ken’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org or Dakin Humane Society 171 Union St., Springfield, MA 01105 or www.dakinhumane.org. Masks, social distancing, no contact and all gathering restrictions will be adhered to.