In Memory of . . . Kenneth Gordon LaFleur (1933-2015)

The Rev. Kenneth “Ken” G. LaFleur died on December 5, 2015 at the age of 81.

Ken was born on December 14, 1933, to Daniel LaFleur and Louise Pelletier LaFleur. Ken received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maine in 1961; a Bachelor of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1961 (later granted as a Master of Divinity) and a Master of Arts from Brandeis University in 1970.

Rev. LaFleur was ordained by the First Parish Unitarian Church of Castine, ME (now Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine) in 1954. He was called to the Castine congregation in 1954 and he served there from 1954 to 1958, and then again, for one year, in 1961. From 1958 to 1960, he also served as minister to First Parish in Northborough, MA. Ken served the First Parish in Wayland, MA from 1962 to 1969 and the First Universalist Church of Norway, ME and South Paris, ME from 1970 to 1972. He embarked on a thirteen year ministry in 1972, after being called to First Parish in Hingham, MA, Unitarian Universalist, known as Old Ship Church. Ken was voted Minister Emeritus of Old Ship Church in 1985.

Ken held membership with the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA), and was actively involved with the Maine UUMA and Central MA UUMA districts during the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s.

After his retirement from full time ministry, Ken taught history at Northeastern University in Boston, MA; served as the organist of two churches; helped found the AIDS support group of central Maine; wrote a weekly column for a central Maine newspaper; and served as part-time minister to All Souls Universalist Church of Oakland, ME.

Current minister of Old Ship Church, and direct successor of Rev. LaFleur, Rev. Ken Read-Brown, spoke highly of Rev. LaFleur’s time at Old Ship. Rev. Read-Brown wrote:

 

Ken’s thirteen year ministry here at Old Ship was a time of healing and strengthening for our congregation; his ministry truly did make our congregation’s shared ministry during more recent years possible. Ken was, not incidentally, one of the finest preachers in our or any denomination. But even more importantly, he was a fine, good, and gentle man.

 

Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Helen Myrick LaFleur; daughter, Margaret LaFleur Asadoorian; sister-in-law Deborah Myrick Martin; several nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Helen LaFleur, P.O. Box 110, East Vassalboro, ME, 04935.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *