Kenneth G. Crawford

September 4, 1928 - May 11, 2017

COLEBROOK – Kenneth G. Crawford, 88, of Colebrook, passed away at on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital after a recent period of failing health and with his family by his side. He was born in Colebrook on Sept. 4, 1928, a son to the late William and Lila (Pond) Crawford. Kenneth was a 1947 graduate of Colebrook Academy, and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. He served with honor for two years, mostly with post-World War II occupation forces in Austria and Germany. Upon returning home, Ken followed in the family business and purchased his own farm. He led the farm life for many years, but also worked in the woods for other local companies. He was a keen mechanic, and after farming, he worked as a mechanic at the local Chevrolet dealership and later in the maintenance department at the Coos County Nursing Hospital for 16 years, from which he retired. Home farming remained with him, though, as the vegetable garden in his backyard was renowned far and wide. Ken also enjoyed motorcycling and snowmobiling, even into his later years, and liked making small batches of maple syrup in the spring, woodworking, gardening, and he loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Freda (Coates) Crawford of Colebrook; two sons, Karl Crawford and wife Stephanie, and Kurtis Crawford and wife Cheryl, all of Deerfield, NH; four grandchildren, Mallary Crawford, Amanda Crawford, Madison Crawford and Olivia Crawford; a great-grandson, Mason Lessard; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his five siblings, William, Almon, and Hollis Crawford, Wilma Crawford, and Zella Kenney. There are no public calling hours. A graveside service with military honors will be held in the Colebrook Village Cemetery on Sunday, May 21, at 1 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Crawford may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the UCVH, 181 Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.