Kenneth H. Brockway

Ken, age 78 husband, father, friend, philosopher, mentor passed away on May 24, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marilyn, his children, Elizabeth Follansbee, Dana Robert Colarulli and wife Nancy Drane, and Katie Brockway; his grandchildren Ailinn Colarulli and Braeden Colarulli; his brother Clifford Brockway and wife Sue, his sister-in-law Lillian Brockway and brother Lawrence, who predeceased him.

Ken devoted 35 years of his professional life to the YMCA, starting as a program director in Boston, M.A. and retiring as the CEO of the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester in New York. Ken was very proud of starting a YMCA in Spanish Town, Jamaica and of co-chairing a US-Japan Management Seminar in Toyko, Japan.

Passionate and devoted to serving community, he was a 35-year Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow, serving as President of the Newport Rotary Club and then of that Chapters Foundation, President of the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation, a vestry member and fundraiser for St. Pauls Episcopal Church of Portsmouth, and a Board Member for the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Regatta, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County, and the R.I. Red Cross. Ken also successfully served as Interim Executive Director of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum and the Newport Historical Society.

He received his BA from Dakota Wesleyan University and was ordained as a Methodist Minister receiving a Masters of Divinity at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He also studied in Heidelberg, Germany and traveled throughout continental Europe (more than 10,000 miles). A lover of travel, he visited 48 U.S. states, hitch-hiking across the country 4 times.

A loving and caring individual, Ken never failed to engage with everyone he met. He changed our lives from ordinary to extraordinary, and we are forever grateful to have shared life with him. We would like to thank the Village House and Rehabilitation Center staff and Visiting Nurse Services and Hospice who cared for all of us through these last few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, per Kens wishes, you may make a donation to the Portsmouth Garden Club, P.O. Box 826 Portsmouth, R.I. 02871.

Receiving hours will take place at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, R.I. from 4- 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th and a service will be held at St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, R.I. on Friday, May 31st at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private.