Kenneth P. Sennett

Kenneth P. Sennett of Billerica died on Monday, October 14, 2024, on his 103rd birthday.

Born in Watertown on October 14, 1921, Kenneth was the beloved son of the late Andrew and Rose (Hopkins) Sennett. Kenneth was raised in Watertown and though he did not have the luxury of attending school in the normal sense of the word, he did receive his high school degree later in life. Kenneth's education gave him more than anyone could ever learn in school. Wise beyond his years, he was often sought out by friends and family for his sage advice. And he was street-smart, always able to find a path forward and adapting to handle any situation.

By seventh grade he was contributing to the family picking up and delivering potatoes, at seventeen he joined the The Civilian Conservation Corps, where he would be sent all over the United States building train tracks, erecting telephone poles for electrical infrastructure and worked on the construction of the Hoover Dam. After the conservation corps, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving honorably in World War II from 1942 to 1945. He was stationed at the White House for a time before shipping overseas, fighting island to island in some of the fiercest battles of the Western Pacific, where he served as a marksman. The army also trained him as a mechanic and upon his discharge; he joined the Metropolitan District Commission Police Department as a mechanic, retiring in 1987 after more than forty years of service to the state of Massachusetts.

Kenneth had a very difficult upbringing, which made him have to discover who he was at an early age and from that point on, he was always steadfast and true to himself, following his own path and with fierce loyalty to his friends and family. It also contributed to his seemingly rough and tough exterior, though his close friends and family knew how sweet he could be. Along with advice, he was the go-to person when something needed to be fixed. He was a jack of all trades, whether it was construction, plumbing, electrical cars or motorcycles, he could fix it. He especially loved his motorcycles.

Kenneth led a long life filled with many varied chapters and unbelievable stories. But if you asked him what the most amazing part of his life was, nothing came close to his family. He cherished the memories they created on vacations to Salisbury and Hampton Beaches along with many day trips down the Kancamagus Highway and out to the Mohawk Trail among others. He will be greatly missed and remembered as a good man, a great husband and father, and a wise friend with a PhD from the school of life.

In addition to his beloved wife, the late Claire F. (St. John) Sennett, he was also predeceased by his brothers, Harold, Andrew, and Robert Sennett, and sister, Dolly McPherson

He leaves his children, Eve Sennett of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Robert Sennett of Watertown, and Cherie Downey (Mark) of Danvers; His grandchildren, Kelly Bortzfield, Amy Taylor (Michael), Beth Richmond (Kiel), Robert Sennett II (Megan), and Zachary, Joshua and Jacob Downey; his great-grandchildren, Cohen and Donovan McKee, Carys and Grayson Richmond, Haley and Geri Taylor, and Robert “Trey” Sennett III. Keneth was also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Kenneth’s life by gathering for a calling hour in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, October 21st from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, before processing to Newton Cemetery Chapel where his funeral service will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery.