KENNEBUNK — Kenneth Lawrence Ireland Sr., 100, died peacefully at home on May 20, 2014.

He was born Aug. 8, 1913 in Newton Center, Mass., to the late Lawrence Stone Ireland and Gertrude Louise (Banks) Ireland.

Ken grew up in Garden City, Long Island with his two brothers and spent summers at Goose Rocks Beach and Cape Cod. During the depression, the family moved to Goose Rocks. Goose Rocks remained Ken’s most special place throughout his life.

Ken graduated from the engineering school at the University of Maine in 1936 with highest honors. While at the University of Maine, he also distinguished himself on the track and field and swim teams.

In 1941, Ken married Leona “Lee” Maher Carroll of Bridgeport, Conn. They lived in Nichols for 27 years before moving to Orange and later to Oronoque Village in Stratford, all in Connecticut.

After getting married, Ken secured a job as foreman for the High Standard Manufacturing Company in New Haven, Conn. Here he spent the war years, overseeing the production of arms for the troops. During this time, he was selected to serve on the Ordnance Advisory Engineering and Research Committee in Washington, D.C. In the late ’40s, Ken started his own business, Ireland Heat Treating Company in Orange, Conn. He sold the business in 1969, retiring at 56.

He and Lee spent their time playing golf, which he loved and played until he was 94, and also traveling to visit children and grandchildren.

In 2001, Ken and Lee moved to Green Valley, Ariz. Lee died in 2005 on their 64th wedding anniversary. In 2006, Ken moved to Mechanicsville, Va., and in January of 2009, he moved to Kennebunk, completing his circle.

To his grandchildren, he was “Bif” ”“ Big Ireland Father. He was a devoted grandfather, and he was the children’s “Google.” His brilliant mind trapped and retained every fact he had ever learned or read. When a grandchild was stumped on any subject, he or she would say, “I’ll call Bif.” He never once disappointed them.

Ken loved the outdoors and wanted his children to share this love. They were members of the Milford Yacht Club, where he served as commodore and the children learned to sail. He was also an officer for the International Lightning Class Association.

An avid skier, he and his friends would hike to the top of Mt. Washington to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine. In the winter, he and Lee took their family on day ski trips ”“ four children, assorted friends and all the gear in the perennial white Ford station wagon. Later he, his son, John, and his father, Lawrence, built a ski house in Brownsville, Vt., overlooking Mt. Ascutney. There they shared many fun-filled weekends with friends and family. Ken continued to ski until he was 86.

Ken is survived by: his children, Kenneth Lawrence Ireland Jr. of San Francisco, Calif., Elen Ireland Kentnor of Elgin, Ariz., John Ireland of Mechanicsville, Va. and Julie Ireland Childs of Andover, Mass; his sons-in-law, Charlie Kentnor and Tom Childs; daughter-in-law, Ginger Ireland; and brother, Donald Ireland.

Ken also leaves: seven grandchildren, Mac and Julie Kentnor, Katie, Molly and Toby Childs, and Sarah and Jon Ireland.

He was delighted to have six great-grandchildren and one well on the way before he died: Mac and Hope Kentnor’s daughters, Electra and Lyla; Julie and Brent Corby’s daughter Melanie and son William; Sarah and Joe Becker’s daughter Zoe; and Katie and Ben Sayles’ sons Tripp and Tommy. Tommy was born six days after his great-grandfather died.

There will be a memorial service at South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport on Aug. 8 at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Track and Field Department at The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469.

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