Kenneth L. Kirk, Sr

Kenneth L. Kirk, Sr., 86, of New Smyrna Beach, FL for the past fifteen years, and formerly of Coventry and Cranston, Rhode Island, died Saturday, March 9, 2013. He was the son of the late Chester H. Sr. and Blanche (Lucler) Kirk and the husband of the late Marie (Arbolino) Kirk, whom he married in 1945. Ken was one of Rhode Island's leading entrepreneurs and volunteers. Along with his brother Chester, he founded American Tube Products in 1947, which later became Amtrol, Inc. They were quite a team and together built and ran one of Rhode Island's most successful companies. In addition to operating one of the largest companies in Rhode Island, Ken had been extremely involved in the community. He and his brother, Chet, also founded Edgehill, Newport, RI in 1980. Edgehill was a treatment center for people suffering from alcohol dependency.After his son Lawrence was born with Cerebral Palsy both Ken and his wife, Marie, became involved with organizations that helped the physically and mentally challenged. In 1983 he began the Independence Square Foundation located in Pawtucket and later on the University of Rhode Island campus grounds. Independence Square is an organization which brings nonprofit organizations together in first class surroundings to offer their services to the physically and mentally challenged.He also did extensive volunteer work with the following organizations : Meeting Street School, United Cerebal Palsy Association, Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center and the John E. Fogarty Foundation for mentally challenged individuals. He had designed and built special walkers for physically challenged individuals. He received the US Wheelchair Sports Award at the 20th National Wheelchair games in 1976 for his work designing and building a special device to hold wheelchairs in place while athletes competed in the shot put and archery events. In 1987 he was named the National Volunteer of the Year by the National Cerebral Palsy Association.Although Ken never received any formal college education, he was awarded with a Doctor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant College in 1979. In 1981 he was awarded a Doctor of Public Service from the University of Rhode Island.Ken is survived by his five children: Patricia (wife of the late Philip) Durigan, Narragansett, RI; Kenneth Jr. and Doris Kirk, Green Bay, WI; Lawrence Kirk, Port Orange, FL; Richard and Diane Kirk, Port Orange, FL; Margaret and Donald Coyne, Saunderstown, RI; his seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.In addition to his parents and wife, Ken was preceded in death by brothers, Chester H. Jr. and Robert Kirk, and sister Marjorie Zarr.Visiting Hours will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:00 am to 12 Noon in St. Ann Church, 1493 Cranston St., Cranston. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Independence Square Foundation, 500 Prospect St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Boyleandsonfuneralhome.com