OAKFIELD – Kenny Swallow Jr., loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and beloved friend to many, left this Earth May 8, 2011, surrounded by his family, at home, at the too young age of only 57 years. Kenny was born in Houlton, the son of Kenneth and Priscilla “Sida” (Brannen) Swallow.
Kenny lived most of his life in Oakfield, graduating from Oakfield Community High School in 1971. He completed the wood-harvesting program at Washington County Vocational Technical Institute and spent the rest of his life working as a logger. He had a great passion and respect for the woods and passed it on to his two sons. He also worked with his father and cousin, Newman Gee, digging tamarack knees. He became a registered Maine guide and spent more than 20 years guiding hunters in the woods of Aroostook County. Kenny was an avid outdoorsman who loved both hunting and fishing. One of his greatest joys was passing on his love of the great outdoors to his kids and grandkids. Even in his last days, his desire was to get outside as much as he could. His family enjoyed taking him for rides at dusk to see what he could see for wildlife. Kenny was a person who enjoyed helping others and always put others before himself. Kenny was a man of many words and could always talk with anyone. He loved to tell stories and would sit around for hours, reminiscing about hunting and fishing and other adventures. He was a true family man, and he got great joy from spending time with family. His greatest accomplishment in life was raising four fantastic children with his wife. Kenny was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer, in March 2005. He had a significant will to live and was determined to fight the cancer, living more than six years on a six month diagnosis. He kept his sense of humor, his wit and his personality until his body failed him. He was thankful for all the friends and family who visited and called him during his last days at home.
In addition to his parents, Ken and Sida, Kenny is survived by his teenage sweetheart of 35 years, Carol (Wilmot); daughters, Kendra LeBreton and husband, Herb, and Kristen Bailey and husband, Mitch; sons, Jeffrey and Nathan; “adopted” son, Brhaun Parks; grandchildren, Alexis, Kallie and Braedan LeBreton and Logan Swallow; brothers, Kerry Sr. and Kippy Swallow and wife, Abbie; sisters, Lisa Gallagher and husband, Keith, Wendy Furrow and husband, Rob, and Jill Bustard and husband, Andy; 12 special nieces and nephews. Kenny will be missed by many special friends and hunting buddies.
A time to remember Kenny and visit with family will be held 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Houlton Wesleyan Church, 18 Kelleran St., Houlton, where a celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14. Kenny requested that casual attire be worn. In lieu of flowers, friends may make gifts in Kenny’s memory to CancerCare of Maine or Hospice of Aroostook, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. The family welcomes any stories or special times that you have shared with Kenny in person or online, along with guest book and condolences at
www.dunnfuneral.com.