Kenneth Harry Sharples, “Ken,” age 90, of Swansea, passed away, Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. Born in Fall River, the son of the late Harry and Annie (Jennings) Sharples, Ken was a lifelong resident of Swansea.
A graduate of Joseph Case High School, Class of 1952, where he was 2nd in his class. He was a Veteran of the United States Army. Ken worked as a Commercial Quahogger/Clam Digger for all his life and was the Vice President of the family business, Harry’s Seafood, Inc.
Ken was a lover of all animals, enjoyed feeding the birds, singing, and visiting Twin River Casino. Our favorite memories of him always include the birds and critters he befriended. It all started with a female duck with an injured leg that he nursed back to health. She returned the next year to lay her eggs and continued to come back along with her friends every year. Then, someone dropped off an unfriendly goose. It became the defender of the shop's parking lot. Every intruding customer was loudly warned to get away. The duck and the goose were well taken care of; even during a hurricane as they followed Kenny to Carol's garage for safe keeping. There were so many critters who trusted him to hand feed them including a family of raccoons and skunks. His greatest joy was sitting in his chair outside to feed his birds, even some huge black turkey vultures!
Ken is survived by his sister, Carol Ann (Sharples) Wolstenholme of Swansea; two nieces, Deborah Ann (LaHaie) Palamar and her husband, Kennith, of Minden, NV, Susan Joy (LaHaie) McCloud of Idaho Falls, ID; six great nieces and nephews, Sean Palamar and his wife, Sarah, of Carson City, NV, Shannon (Palamar) Gillham and her husband, Michael, of Carson City, NV, Christopher McCloud and his husband, David, of Roseville, CA, Stephanie (McCloud) Curtis and her husband, Travis, of Idaho Falls, ID, Catherine McCloud of Sacramento, CA, Johnathan McCloud of Hartford, AL; eight great-great nieces and nephews, Sean ”Benny” Palamar, Arya Palamar, Hudson Gillham, Carter Gillham, Ethan Gillham, Everett Gillham, with Aubrey Gillham on the way, Camden Zimmerman, and Skyler Curtis.
His graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 10:00AM in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea.
