Kenneth E. Roberts

Sailor, engineer, genealogist, inventor, activist, and devoted family man, Kenneth Earl Roberts left this side of life on Nov. 8, 2023, at the RI Veterans Home in Bristol in the company of family he loved.

Kenny was born to Myra (Kendall) and Roy L. Roberts on Oct. 1, 1922, the third of five children. He grew up on Narragansett Terrace in Riverside, RI where his love of the water inspired adventures on the bay with his siblings and cousins in their beloved sailboat Sinbad…sometimes accompanied by Pal their dog.

After East Providence High School, he attended the University of RI where he graduated at an accelerated pace in 1943 as a mechanical engineer, following with service in the US Navy as a Lieutenant JG in the Pacific Theater during WWII. In later years he would diligently work to connect with other Navy veterans, particularly those who had been on LSM vessels like his own. His association returned an LSM from the Greek Navy to Nebraska for the purpose of restoring it as a museum. Boats of one sort or another were always a passion.

Another passion, Narragansett Terrace, was where he, with his remarkable wife Irene, raised their family of four daughters. And oh, the activities on the domestic scene. Maple syruping, sailing, gardening, beachcombing, biking, camping, gathering with the Unc Allen, at the boatyard, to make parts for boats with a collective and creative team of likeminded enthusiasts, re-pointing the windows of his parent’s house, selling shares for the Terrace Association in order to protect the uniqueness of the shared land, at The Jetty, taking superb photographs and movies, driving to work in his 1931 Model A Ford, “the Flivver” with its rumble seat, the envy of every kid in the family…and more. All along the way he had flair for telling eye-rolling jokes and puns.

A gentle but persistent personality, Kenny was a man of ideas, possibilities, principles and always ready for action. He was an environmentalist without “the label” and knew how to use and reuse things respectfully. His skill and imagination turned random pieces of beach wood into meticulously crafted cribbage boards, wooden swings, boats in a bottle, picnic tables, wooden buoys with a blinking light and more, given to family and friends. In earlier decades he became involved in protecting shoreline access on the Terrace, often as a lone voice. He advocated with vigor at City Hall for the preservation of the historic Looff Carousel just down the street. He worked just as determinedly to protect the Pomham Lighthouse located within the view of his childhood home at “197 Terrace Ave”.

Retirement from Microfibres, Inc., at 62 made way for more of Kenny and Irene’s travels. They reconnected at reunions with Navy shipmates (his and others), explored many parts of Europe, and when back to the USA, visited friends and family across the land.

At one point, when settled at home, he launched a major project, one that would tie together so much of what mattered to him. He began to write down the stories of days gone by on the Terrace. With Irene’s patience and committed help from neighbors, his children and son-in-law his project took shape. The living room, dining room and basement became an author’s haven. Editing, captioning, and enhancing photographs, and typing the final draft resulted in his hand sown book…A book of episodes and photographs entitled Bullocks Neck emerged. Over 500 copies can be found in local libraries as well as in the homes of family and many present-day neighborhood residents. Families that remain close do so when particular members make the effort to stay in touch. Kenny nurtured a legacy of family-friend connectedness and caring through letters, phone calls, visits, and countless conversations. Lifelong membership in St. Mark’s Church in Riverside continued when the church merged with St. Matthew’s in Barrington. His faithfulness, perseverance and generosity wove through it all.

Kenny leaves his daughters Karen (Michael) Santolupo of Bristol, Lisa Roberts of Tiverton, and Louise Richter of Wickford, along with a host of grandchildren, Anthony Santolupo, Emma Santolupo, Thomas (Lauren) Santolupo, Alana Rios, Justin (Shannon) Rios, Natalie Rios, Olivia (Tyrone) Cooney, Evan Rios, Sam Richter, Helen Richter, and a one-year-old great grandson, Greyson Santolupo. He would want to remember his many nieces and nephews…He was predeceased by his wife Irene, daughter Christine, his parents, sisters Shirley (Bill), Marilyn (Ted) and Carol (Hank), and his brother Roy.

Kenny was loved by a whole community across the generations. He lived a life to be celebrated and remembered. A special day of remembrance will be held in the warmer months of 2024. An announcement will be made through Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home.