Harry V Kent

Harry V. “Buddy” Kent Jr. passed away on Sept 2, 2015 after complications from a short illness. Harry was born on July 24th, 1924 in his parent’s – Alison M. and Harry V. Kent Sr. - home in Franklin, New Jersey. As a boy “Buddy” had a love for outdoor sports: hunting, trapping, and fishing. He also loved to make gasoline powered model airplanes which grew into a passion for flying. His dream of becoming a pilot became a reality during WWII as he enlisted into the US Army Aircorps in Sept. 1944. Within the first few months of training he received a “caterpillar” pin awarded to airmen who needed to parachute out from their aircraft. He later became assigned to the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter group of the 5th Air Force. It was here, in the Pacific Campaign, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and became the proud pilot of his own single engine P-51 fighter plane. Buddy was an element leader on surveillance missions over Japan with over 21 combat missions. He also served as a statistical officer controlling troop movements arriving in that theater for his group. Buddy left the Airforce in May of 1946 at the close of WWII. However, he continued in his service with the Department of the Army as an employee of Picatinny Arsenal as an apprentice toolmaker. He stayed in that profession and eventually oversaw machinists operations for the Arsenal until he retired in 1988. In his personal life Buddy continued with his love of hunting and fishing and, in addition to tying his own flies, handmade high quality bamboo fly rods. His hobbies also included fine wood work from which he often made furniture for the family – still in use today. Buddy was married to Diane Frances Gardner. They had their first child; a son named Terrance and later, a daughter named Kathleen in addition to his son and daughter, Buddy had 5 grandchildren – Timmy, Eric, Chris, Ryan, and Patrick. He also became a great-grandfather of twins (born in Sept 2012) from his grandson Ryan and his wife Meredith. And of course we can’t forget his beloved dog Ginger who had been the apple of his eye for the last 12 years. There will be a gathering of friends and family to celebrate Buddy’s life at Peregrine’s Landing at the Shoreline, 91 East Main Street, Clinton, CT, on Sunday 9/20/2015 at 3:00