Dear Kenny,

It’s been a very difficult few days since we first learned the news that you’ve left us for your journey to a higher place. You left us too soon. You gave us 68 years of your teachings, experiences, friendship, love and kindness … and yet, we weren’t able to get a minute to say thank you. But, knowing you, you would want it that way—always wanting to give, always hesitant to take.

The analogy of a “rock” is often used to describe a person as solid, always being there, and never changing. Kenny—for 68 years—you have been a boulder in all of our lives. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and volunteer—you have remained constant, always there, always wanting to help, and always with a smile on your face.

From left, firefighters Warren Harrod, Greg Harrod, and Chief Bob Mignard stand at attention as the “all out” for the final alarm is signaled at Ken Harrod’s memorial service on May 8. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)

As a husband for 45 years, you, with Pricilla, coined the term “partner for life!” You were Pricilla’s best friend, companion, and someone to share all of the day-to-day experiences with. While you both held steady jobs until retirement, the time away from work was almost always spent with each other. Whether it was cleaning the Town Hall, snowmobiling in Vermont, beaching it in Maine, or vacationing in Florida—it was together. Your loving relationship is a role model for us all. While we may never have heard the words “I love you,” we didn’t need to—we could all see it, feel it, and want it for ourselves.

As a father, you, with Pricilla, led Karen and Greg down the road of life. You were the ultimate teacher in the importance of family values, hard work, and helping others. With you as a role model—never using many words and never needing to raise your voice—your children simply followed your actions. Karen’s musical and artistic skills are a reflection of your attention to detail in woodworking and craftsmanship. And Greg certainly didn’t fall far from the tree. His work ethic, sense of community service, and willingness to always lend a hand come straight from professor Kenny himself.

As a grandfather, you blessed Christopher with the best. With the additional guidance and direction from “Bumpa” himself, Christopher has a great start down life’s winding road. Christopher is surrounded by loving parents, grandparents, family and friends. But as in everything else, you have been the cornerstone. Whether it was fishing, snowmobiling, selling Christmas trees, or just a visit—you were always there for Christopher, always with a smile, and always with that soft, calm demeanor we can all appreciate.

As a brother, you taught your brother and sister well—well, almost. When it comes to trucks and tractors—buy Ford. When it comes to snowmobiles—Polaris is best. When it comes to working hard, you also need to play hard. But when it comes to beer—Warren chooses Schaefer? He must have missed your lesson that day!

When it comes to volunteerism, there is no community member that would do more for others than you. We’ve all been blessed with your friendship and willingness to help. As a fireman, you’ve served the townspeople for more than 45 years. You’ve managed to rise through the ranks with your dedication and leading by example. As a Lion, you served as a member for a number of years until the trips to Vermont took away from the time you felt necessary to commit. But even since then, you, Pricilla, and Greg are always there as honorary Lions to help out at the craft fair, now the Harvard Fall Festival.

As a friend you were the most generous and kind-hearted ever. If there was a person in need or even a whisper of something that needed to be done, you were there. Never there to simply give guidance—whether it was building a stone wall for a neighbor, a mantle for a fireplace, or a sign for a friend’s establishment—you’d see a project through to completion. When you did projects for people, the people walked away with much more than a completed project. They walked away with a beautiful craft, usually with an understanding of how to make the next one, and most importantly, they walked away with an experience with Kenny. We know there are hundreds of these stories which will be shared now and for generations to come. They are experiences we’ll never forget.

Kenny, one important lesson we’ve learned from you is to take time for ourselves and enjoy life with family and friends. Whether it is a sporting event, an afternoon fishing, a car race, a snowmobile ride, a logging show, a horse pull, or just a game of horseshoes—take the time to share these times with others. Many of us have been fortunate enough to share these experiences with you—and we’ll be talking and laughing about them for years.

To you, games weren’t about winning or losing. Snowmobiling wasn’t about being the fastest, fishing wasn’t about catching the biggest—it was never the end result that mattered. It was all the experiences between the start and finish that made it special. The conversations, jokes, road trips, camaraderie, learning new crafts, teaching others new crafts—these were the important times in your life. And it was never about being better than someone; it was always about just being with someone.

Kenny, you were an amazing man, someone we’ll never forget and a role model for all of us to follow. While your teachings to us may now be complete, your lessons will live on forever. We will take your torch and pass it along. The world would be a much better place if we all lived Kenny’s way.

Kenny, we want you to know that we will be there for your family, just as you and your family have been there for us. Your family’s loss and the loss for all who knew you are far more significant that you could have ever known.

We ask this of everyone whose lives you’ve touched: When the work day is done and the clock strikes 5, put down your shovels, grab a drink, and raise a glass. Cheers to Kenny and Kenny’s way!

Kenny, thank you for being such an incredible husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, fireman, Lion, and friend. We miss you very much and always will. Until we meet again—may your journey continue.