Penrith lost a sociable and popular man with the death of Kenneth William Wood, of Carleton Drive, aged 80.
Born and brought up in Penrith, Kenny, as he was usually known, was the only child of the late Alice and Walter Wood.
He attended Penrith’s Ullswater School, as it then was, before starting work in the warehouse for local firm J&J Graham.
He moved on to work in the butchery department of a town firm specialising in selling to the retail and catering sectors. He remained there throughout his working life as the business traded under various names — most recently Martex and Lowries — before retiring in 2007.
Kenny enjoyed playing dominoes for Penrith Conservative Club — of which he was a member for many years — and also the Warehouse. He loved meeting up for a drink or two and a chat with his many friends each week.
He was a keen gardener, cultivating a profusion of fruit, vegetables and flowers, and liked to trade his produce with other members of an informal local growing community. He greatly enjoyed sunbathing and soaked up the rays at every opportunity.
It was in 1987 that he met his future wife, Janet Allan, originally from Rockcliffe, and the couple were married in 1989. They went on to have one son, James, who was brought up at the family home on Carleton Drive where Kenny lived for 58 years.
He enjoyed family holidays — particularly cruises — and appreciated experiences as varied as visiting the pyramids of Giza and meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.
He is survived by his wife Janet, of Carleton Drive, son James, of High Carleton, and grandson Rowan.
The funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Church, Penrith, followed by interment at the town cemetery. A celebration of his life was held at Penrith Cricket Club.
Richardsons Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
