Kenneth J Miner

Kenneth J. Miner, 87, of Highland St, Millers Falls passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday April 2nd, 2024.

Ken was born in Turners Falls, the son of Arthur and Lillian (Foster) Miner, the 8th of 12 siblings growing up on 7th Street.  On August 5, 1961, Ken married Teresa Greenleaf.  Ken and Terri enjoyed 61 years of marriage prior to her passing on September 21, 2022. 

He was educated in the Montague Public school system, graduating from Turners Falls High School Class of ’55.  Ken was a Captain of the Football team as an undersized linebacker and earned All Western Mass honors his senior year.

Following graduation, Ken served his country after enlisting in the US Air Force.  Following Basic Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Ken spent a majority of his service time at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage Alaska responsible mainly for helicopter maintenance.  While in Alaska, Ken had many fond memories of Alaska, especially fishing for salmon in picturesque rivers and surroundings.

Upon his return from the service, Ken worked for Sikorsky Aircraft (CT) for a short time before returning to the area and eventually working for Lunt Silversmiths as a Machinist where he worked for almost 40 years before his retirement around 2000.

He was an active parishioner in the former St John’s Catholic Church in Millers Falls before its’ closing.   Ken and Terri then became parishioners at the Blessed Trinity Parish - Holy Trinity Church in Greenfield for many years afterwards. 

Ken loved to listen to some of the great male operatic tenor voices of his time starting from his youth (Mario Lonza) and carrying that through to his later years (The Three Tenors – Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras) where he would listen to archived performances of them all – somehow figuring out how to work the clicker to pull up Youtube videos.

Ken was also a manager in the Newt Guilbault Little League for many years coaching each of his (3) sons along the way.  He was a supporter of all the New England sports teams, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics.  He enjoyed candlepin bowling in the Friday Night Fun League at the French King Bowling Center in Erving, MA teaming up at different times with his sons and sons’ friends (Team MGM) and with Terri, son Brian and future daughter-in-law Sue.  He was also an active gardner and birdwatcher staying active with both through this year. 

His baking expertise will surely be missed but fondly remembered for his homemade apple pie, fresh baked donuts with cinnamon sugar, and his chocolate chip cookies.

In retirement, Ken was actively involved in the Montague Elks and later the Greenfield Elks alongside Terri.  Ken and Terri also enjoyed volunteering at the VA Veterans Home in Holyoke, MA.

Ken is survived by his three sons, Michael Miner of Raleigh NC, Brian Miner (Sue) of Chelmsford MA, and Jeffrey Miner of Troy NY as well as 3 grandchildren; Emily, Danielle and Sara. 

Ken also leaves his siblings George, Robert, Bernard, Carol Mayrand and Donna Chrostowsky, and many nieces and nephews. Ken was also appreciative of Terri’s Greenleaf family looking out for him – Jim (Joanne), Bob (Cathy), Rich, and Paul (Del).  He was predeceased by his parents, and siblings Betty, Arthur, Francine, Pauline, Mabel, and Charles.

Funeral services will be at 10AM from the Kostanski Funeral Home 1 Kostanski Square Turners Falls on Friday (4-12-2024) with visitation after 9AM.  Immediately following services, burial will follow in Highland Cemetery in Millers Falls. Calling hours will be Thursday (4-11-2024) from 4pm-6pm. 

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

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