Kenneth A. Hedman

Kenneth A. Hedman, 86, of Plainville, passed away at home on Sunday, September 3, 2017 after a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of 65 years to Nancy (Middleton) Hedman.

Kenneth was born on January 14, 1931, in Cambridge, MA son to the late John P. and Hazel (Storey) Hedman. He grew up in Watertown, MA and relocated to Plainville in 1945, marrying his high school sweet heart, Nancy Middleton in 1952. Together they raised three children.

Ken was known in high school for his artistic ability. His interest in cemetery work began at a young age through a part time job at a local cemetery. Ken completed a three year term on Board of Directors of the Plainville Cemetery Association. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Plainville Cemetery Association, Inc. since 1956 and was elected President and Chairman in 1990.The Association has managed and operated the two municipal cemeteries in Plainville beginning in 1893; one of the cemeteries is inactive and the other is known as West Cemetery. Ken was instrumental in helping to update the cemetery records utilizing computerization. In addition, he was involved with the New England Cemetery Association.

After high school, Ken was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged, earning the rank of Sgt. Upon returning home from deployment, he started to work in the banking industry as a clerk at the Plainville Trust Company. Ken retired at the age of 55 in 1986 following a thirty-seven year banking career, having served as President of the Plainville Trust Co. and a senior officer of the former Colonial Bank, Waterbury, CT and lastly with Bank of America. After retirement, he was a consultant to banks and small businesses.

Public service was of great important to Ken who served on many different committees and boards in addition to his work, including the Plainville Centennial Committee in 1969. He regularly attended the NECA annual Management Seminars at the University of New Hampshire. Ken is a past President of the New Britain Chapter, American Institute of Banking (AIB), earned a Standard Certificate from the AIB, and is a graduate of the New England School of Banking, Williams College, MA and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers the State University, NJ. Long active with the CT Bankers Association, (CBA), he is a past Chairman of the Operations Committee.

A past President of the Plainville Chamber of Commerce and the Plainville Rotary Club, he remains an honorary member of both. He was formerly a Trustee of the Plainville United Methodist Church, formerly Chairman of the Trustees of the Elizabeth Harding Norton Trust, and formerly Chairman of the Town’s Economic Development Agency. Also, he is a former chairman and “volunteer of the year” of the Plainville Wheeler Regional YMCA. In addition, he is formerly a Trustee of the Greater Hartford YMCA, having served on the Endowment Investment Committee.

Ken and Nancy became avid golfers and were members at the Farmington Country Club where they developed many lifelong friendships. Card playing was another pastime and they played bridge with friends and in leagues. Family was of high importance to Ken, as he loved his three children and assisted each of them to go on in studies beyond high school.

In addition to his loving wife, Nancy, Kenneth is survived by his children, Keith Hedman, of Plainville, Karen Hedman- Ouellette, of Plainville, and Susan Hedman, of Gloucester, MA; his grandchildren, Elliott Simone and Melissa Ouellette; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family, including two sister-in-laws and three brother-in-laws. He was predeceased by his sister, Louise Lee, of Kingfield, ME and his daughter-in-law, Lori Hedman, of Plainville.

A service in celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 10 AM at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St., Plainville. Military honors will be rendered following the service.  Friends and family are welcome to gather at the funeral home on Saturday morning between 9 AM and 10 AM and on Friday evening between 4 PM and 8 PM. Burial will be privately held at a later date.

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