Richard A. (“Ken”) Kenworthy, who enjoyed successful careers in two very different fields, died Sunday, November 18, at his home in Williamstown, MA of complications from pancreatic cancer. Ken had a long and successful career in the food services industry before embarking, in his early 50’s, on a second career as a much-beloved teacher of classics.
Ken was born on February 9, 1948 in Baltimore, MD to Richard A. Kenworthy III, a doctor of psychiatry, and Evelena Stevens Kenworthy Oakes. He graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, where he discovered a lifelong interest in classics; Colby College, where he majored in economics, and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Beginning in 1974, Ken worked in the Hilton chain, as a banquet chef, acting chef, and sous chef at Tarrytown, NY, Myrtle Beach, SC and Atlanta, GA. In 1977, he took a sabbatical year to serve as Commis and Demi-chef at the Michelin starred Waldhotel Krautkraemer in Muenster, Germany. His years at Hilton culminated with his appointment as Executive Chef at the Meadowlands, NJ Hilton.
In 1981, he moved to Glastonbury, CT, where he founded Catering by Kenworthy, which became a top catering firm in the Hartford metro area. A decade later he branched out, founding downtown Hartford’s first barbecue restaurant, Amarillo Grill.
As the millennium approached, Ken decided to return to his first love, the classics. From 2000 until his retirement in 2013, he taught Latin and Greek, primarily at the Williams School in New London, CT. His academic teaching, like his culinary leadership, was characterized by warmth, humor, high standards and imagination. He was famous for his annual recreation of a Roman feast that included an authentic ancient recipe for dormice (he secretly substituted portions of pork cutlet). The banquet became a rite of passage, as participants were sworn to secrecy. In addition to his culinary creations, his students were also treated to his love of words, etymology and wordplay, a love that took the form of voracious reading and daily workouts with the New York Times crossword puzzle.
Ken was an avid and talented athlete, particularly in racquet sports. He was on the varsity tennis team at both St. Paul’s and Colby, where he was Maine state champion in squash for two years. Having been a hockey goalie at both St. Paul’s and Colby, he became a season ticket holder to the Hartford Whalers. In later years, when not indulging his love for the New England Patriots, he had a prolonged love affair with the game of golf.
Ken’s love of the classics found a final outlet in his struggle with cancer -- his Stoicism, dignity and grace were his last gifts to his family and friends.
Ken is survived by his partner, Patricia L. Wilk of Williamstown, MA; his children, Albert O. Kenworthy of Park City, UT and Anne C. Kenworthy of Boston, MA; his former wife, Beth Wood Kenworthy of Glastonbury, CT; and his brothers, Scott K. Kenworthy of Klamath Falls, OR, Albert T. Kenworthy of Guildford, VT and Michael W. Kenworthy of Chester, VT.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 15 at South Church, 949 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073 at 10:30am, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, www.dana-farber.org. or the Berkshire Food Project, www.berkshirefoodproject.org. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
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