TRENTON – Kenneth D. Leighton, 53, died unexpectedly Jan. 15, 2010. He was born April 14, 1956, in Lynn, Mass., son of Alfred and Lillian (Harding) Leighton of Town Hill. He graduated from Mount Desert Island High School, Class of 1974. Kenny and Liz started their life together in DeGregoire Park and after seven years moved to Liz’s home town of Otter Creek, where they lived for 12 years before moving to Trenton in 1995. Each season brought Kenny a different joy. He started the year out rabbit hunting with his childhood friend, Bruce Staples. Once the ice was safe, he would head out onto the ponds to ice fish with family and friends, and competed for the catch of the day. As the waters started to thaw, he and his friend, Billy Somers, brave the cold rapid of the Kenduskeg River, in the annual canoe race Then Kenny, Bruce and Billy join other friends in an annual white water rafting trip. Once the mosquitoes are out, it’s about time to go to the family camp on Toddy Pond. This is where Kenny and his family enjoyed kayaking, wind surfing, fishing, boating, laying in the sun, playing dominoes, dice and other games with family and friends. In August he started preparing for the bear hunting season. He enjoyed hunting with his camera, as well as with a bow or a gun. In November he was pleased to be able to hunt deer in the woods surrounding his home. He also loved the Connecticut woods where he spent a week, each year hunting with his friend, Billy. Once the snow started to fly he enjoyed snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. His family is comforted by knowing he left them doing something he loved in the outdoors. Anyone who knew Kenny gets a smile when they remember his dry sense of humor. He will be missed by all. Kenny took pride in helping his community by participating in Earth Day clean up, donating blood and helping anyone at anytime. He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Elizabeth Smith Leighton; his children and their partners, Amy Leighton and Shoo Erwin of Franklin, Carrie Nolan and Matthew Fronczak of Mount Desert, Robert Nolan and Ellen Strout of Southwest Harbor; his grandchildren, Megan Nolan of Steuben, Carley Henderson of Trenton, Conrad Strout of Southwest Harbor, and his pride and joy, Bubba; his brother, Bruce Leighton and wife, Jean; sisters, Patricia Hibbard and husband, Fred, Geneva Jones and brother, Mark Wotten and his wife, Doreen; and stepbrother, Allan Wentworth. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Gloria and Arlene; and brother-in-law, Mike Jones. Friends may visit with the family 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 23, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, where a memorial service will be held noon with the Rev. Mary Carrol Griffin officiating. Contributions in Kenny’s memory may be made to American Red Cross, Pine Tree Chapter, 33 Mildred Ave., Bangor, ME 04401 or SPCA of Hancock County, 141 Bar Harbor Road, Trenton, ME 04605. As Kenny would say, “I love animals, they’re delicious.” Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
KENNETH D. LEIGHTON
