Kenneth Coventry, 97, passed away peacefully at his Darien home on Thursday Dec. 1.
Kenneth Coventry, 97, passed away Dec. 1. A celebration of his life will take place at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18.
Born in Melbourne Australia, the first in his family to achieve an advanced degree, he earned his chemical engineering degree at Melbourne University and later obtained an MBA from Indiana University.
During his career with Mobil Oil, he lived in Tasmania and Melbourne as well as Connecticut, New York and London. He traveled extensively to Europe and Japan on business trips during his 38 years with Mobil. Ken also traveled with his family to Ceylon, Kenya, Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand and Hawaii.
Ken built his first sailboat, a Mirror, from a kit in Australia at age 40. This began his lifelong love of sailing and racing. A member of the Noroton Yacht Club since 1972, he continued to sail each summer until his passing.
An avid racer, he competed in every possible race locally, regionally, and nationally with son Gary, daughter Sandy, and varied Noroton YC crew members in the Ensign class, which is a rugged family-friendly small keel boat with an open cockpit.
Whilst in London, he raced his Squib at Cowes and Datchet. He later sailed his Sonar, designed by good friend Bruce Kirby, which he outfitted for ease of day sailing on Long Island Sound with friends and family. He delighted in introducing sailing and racing to many friends over his 50-plus years sailing at Noroton, many of whom became lifelong sailing buddies.
In retirement he spent the winters in his homes in Del Mar and Solana Beach, California with his wife of 64 years, Connie, until she passed in 2018. In California and Connecticut, he enjoyed playing golf and beach walking with Connie, his daughter, Sandy, and son-in-law, Kurt.
Ken loved jazz music and would grin from ear to ear watching and listening to Satchmo and other greats.
Ken’s love of his family was a constant force, and a great source of happiness and pride. His wry sense of humor will be missed by all.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Sandy, and son-in-law, Kurt; son, Gary, and daughter-in-law Donna; his grandson, Owen; and several nieces, nephews and cousins in Australia.
A gathering to celebrate Ken’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at Lawrence Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Darien Boy Scouts, where Owen achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left