FARMINGDALE -- Kenneth R. Rodrigue, 82, of Farmingdale, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013. He died as he would have wanted, surrounded by his children.

He was born in Augusta on April 18, 1931, the son of Anna Roy Rodrigue Labbe and Dominique Rodrigue. He attended Augusta schools and began work in the paper mill as a young teen. Having lost his father at age 14, Ken worked hard to contribute to his family.

In 1949, he met Jeanette Bellavance and married her a year later. As a Marine, he served in Korea for one year and obtained his General Educational Development diploma while in the service. Later, Ken and Jeanette settled in Richmond, and there they raised five children, or as Ken likes to say, "we didn't raise the kids; we survived them." During this time, Ken worked as a rural mail carrier, but his free time was devoted to his family and woodworking. He was a talented carpenter and each one of his children has hand-crafted furniture made by him.

Ken was happiest when he was with his family and friends. Although he was of humble means, he considered himself a wealthy man because his children were always close, not only to him, but to one another. His true gift was in making friends. No matter where he was, he made a connection with people. Whenever he was late coming home, Jeanette would always say, "he must have found someone to talk to."

He was predeceased by his father, Dominique Rodrigue; his mother, Anna Rodrigue Labbe; and his sisters, Mildred Rodrigue and Muguette Bilezekian. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Bellavance Rodrigue, of Farmingdale; his daughter, Cynthia R. Sprague, Md., of Townsend, Mass.; his son, Scott Rodrigue, and his wife, Karen, of Bowdoinham; his son, John Rodrigue, and his wife, Barbara, of Scarborough; his son, Jeffrey Rodrigue, and his wife, Lisa, of Hallowell; his daughter, Laurie Rodrigue, and her husband, Peter Moulton, of Farmingdale; his grandchildren, Andrew Sprague, Jon Sprague, Carrie Howe, Jeff S. Rodrigue, Matthew Rodrigue, Ryan Rodrigue, Samuel Moulton and Grace Moulton; and his great-grandchildren, Georgia and Sawyer Howe, Dominic and Landon Rodrigue, and Kameron Dodge.

Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond, followed by a service at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to MaineGeneral Rehabilitation and Long Term Care, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903.