Our Obituaries

Willard J. Kent, Jr. age 82 a life-long resident of Sparrowbush/ Port Jervis, NY passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis after a long illness. He was born on August 21, 1930 in Sparrowbush, NY, the loving son of the late Willard J. Kent, Sr. and Martha M. Skinner Kent. He was raised in Sparrowbush and spent his entire youth and adulthood living locally. The only time he left the area was when he joined the United States Army. Willard proudly served our country during the Korean War and was very proud to be a veteran. He was a member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church. From a young man to his elder years his membership of 64 years being a volunteer firefighter for the Sparrowubsh Fire Dept., Past Chief and Fire Commissioner was always an extremely big part of Willard and Lenas lives. It has been a lifetime family. Willard love to hunt and loved being a member of the Run-A-Muck Hunting Club. As ill as he has been the last few years he eagerly anticipated hunting season. When the season arrived, hunting camp with his son Kenny and the "guys" was the only place he wanted to be. Thank you "guys" for visiting, he was tickled . He was an avid Yankee fan. To Willard and anyone who loved him (and did not want to be disowned)-the only team worth talking about and "rooting" for, was, and is, the YANKEES. "That is all we have to say about that!" Willard worked at many things during his life, from being a golf caddy at the Eddy Farm Resort and Golf Course to operating a crane during combat in the Korean War. After returning home from the service he worked as a polisher for Crescent Silverplate in Port Jervis, and then as a cook and bartender for Scully's Restaurant in Sparrowbush, later to become the Hafbrau Restaurant, a cook at the Eddy Farm Resort , the Alexander Hotel and also the Best Western Inn in Matamoras, Pa. He married the love of his life, Lena L. Donahue Kent of Glen Spey on May 24, 1958, celebrating 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife at home, Lena Donahue Kent, his son Kenny Kent and Debra Rowe of Sparrowbush, 2 daughters, Deborah Miller and her husband Glendon of Milford, Pa., and Donna Hutt and her husband Daniel of Slate Hill, NY, his brother Robert c. Kent of Middletown, Rhode Island, 2 grandsons, Christopher Miller and Jonathan Hutt, 3 sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Tiny Brown and Nellie King Hjerrild both of Milford, Pa., and Adele LaBarr of Liberty, NY, his brothers-in-law, John "Wicky" Donahue of Shohola, and Lester "Chappy" Donahue of Wurtsboro, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was pre-deceased by his brother Thomas R. Kent. The last few years he has been a resident on and off at St. Joseph's Place in Port Jervis, due to his illness. He cared about and loed everyone there even though his goal was always to come home. Friends may call Tuesday, January 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Firematic services will be held Tues. evening at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 1 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Amy Garrett officiating. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush Engine Co. # 1, Box 530, Sparrowbush, NY 12780. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com