Kenneth A. DeRoche

Ken was born on Staten Island, NY on May 17, 1926 to Kenneth and Elise (Rohde) DeRoche. He attended Port Richmond High School but left to enlist in the Army during World War II. He sustained a permanently disabling wound to his hand while in training and was medically discharged.

He married Janet Ann McIver in 1961 and in the mid-1960s they moved to Franklin, NY to raise beef cattle; realizing his life-long dream to own a farm. Since Ken was an avid hunter and fisherman, he and Janet entertained friends from Staten Island who for many years would come to the farm to go hunting.

Ken was a lifetime member of the American Angus Association. He took great pride in establishing an Angus herd with solid genetics and the progeny of his herd live on, many of which are owned by his son-in-law and grandchildren. Ken and Janet were fortunate to be able to travel to Australia and Scotland with fellow members of the American Angus Association. After retiring from the farm, they continued to travel, and took cruises that included touring Alaska and Russia. They also enjoyed taking time away at homes they owned in Morganton, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; and subsequently, their retirement home in Louisa, Virginia. Recently Ken and Janet had moved back to Franklin, NY from their home in Louisa, in order to be closer to family.

One of Ken’s passions was the repopulation of the American Chestnut Tree. He nurtured saplings and planted young trees on every property that he owned. Some of those trees are now more than 30 years old, thanks to his dedication.

Ken and Janet were married nearly 54 years when she passed in 2015. They are survived by their three children and their families: Jeanne and her husband Dennis Maine of Elmira, NY; Kenneth and his wife JoAnn DeRoche of Sidney Center, NY; and Margaret (Meg) and her husband Joe Shivers of Franklin, NY. Ken is also survived by his sister Elise Grabe of Live Oak, FL and his sister-in-law, Grace McIver of Scotia, NY, and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, 425 Main Street, Franklin, NY. His funeral will be immediately following the calling hours, with Rev. Bert More officiating. Burial will follow at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin, NY.

The family gratefully declines flowers and requests those wishing to remember Ken with a memorial donation to the American Chestnut Association, or to the charity of your choice.

Sincere thanks to all of those many friends who supported and cared for Ken and his family. Special thanks to all of the in-home caregivers who made it possible for Ken to live happily in his own home for as long as possible; as well as Dr. Lone and his staff, and the many compassionate health care providers at A.O. Fox Hospital and A.O. Fox Nursing Home.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.bennettfh.com

Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home of Franklin.