Kenneth Beatrice
Ocala. Fla. — Kenneth
Joseph Beatrice “Kenny Joe, Kenny B” of Ocala, Fla., passed away from complications associated with COVID-19 Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Born Aug. 7, 1964, at Limestone Air Force Base, Limestone, Maine, he was the son of Kenneth John Beatrice of East Haddam, and Judith Enos Beatrice Bachand of Murrells Inlet, S.C.
Kenny and his love of 17 years Bertha “Bea” Couchman and her daughter Heather moved from Connecticut to Tennessee in 2019, and recently moved to Florida, to start a new business and career.
Kenny grew up in North Stonington, and attended North Stonington Elementary School and Wheeler Middle School. Kenny graduated from Saint Bernard High School in 1983. Kenny also trained as a certified diesel mechanic at Lincoln Technical Institute in East Windsor. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 71 and was an altar boy at St. Thomas Moore Church. Kenny was always striving to help others which naturally led to his passion of becoming a firefighter. Ken began his firefighting career as a volunteer in the North Stonington Fire Department and eventually became a full-time firefighter and hazardous materials specialist for Pfizer in Groton. Ken was also a volunteer firefighter and assistant fire chief for the town of Gales Ferry. He also worked as an outside machinist at Electric Boat in Groton, and worked in sales at Shipman’s Fire Equipment in Waterford. Ken was so passionate about being a firefighter that he would frequently take trips to Brooklyn, or The Bronx to watch the New York City firemen in action.
Kenny always liked working with his hands and spent many hours working in his metal workshop where he built iron sculptures, furniture and wind chimes. He also designed and fabricated several smoker/barbecue grills on which he indulged his love of grilling as he hosted many happy gatherings with family and friends.
Ken was known to have a huge heart and was always concerned about the wellbeing of others. He was quick to rescue and adopt any animal in need. Ken would frequently be seen providing aid to a stray dog or cat.
Kenny will always be lovingly remembered by his love, Bea Couchman, and her daughter Heather; his dad Kenneth and Bonnie Beatrice; his mother Judith and Claude Bachand; his brother Jeffery Beatrice and Ellen Mayer and their daughters, Nikki, Shaina and Alexa of Coventry, R.I.; and his brother Gregory and Dena Beatrice and their son Gavin and daughter Ebby of Amelia Courthouse, Va.; also, his aunt Barbara James; and cousin Vicki James Cunningham of Pawcatuck; and uncle Roy Manstan and family of East Haddam.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Kenny’s memory may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or your local animal shelter. Thanks are extended to the Byles Memorial Home for all their support. A simple gravesite service will take place at a date yet to be determined. Please visit Byles. com to sign the guestbook and to share a memory.