Kenneth C. McInnis, Jr.

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Kenneth C. McInnis, Jr.

MILLS RIVER, NC — Kenneth C. (Ken) McInnis, Jr. passed away peacefully on March 9, 2013 at Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC after a short illness with his beautiful wife Alice at his side. He was born October 16, 1926 in West Bethel, the son of Vera (Libby) and Kenneth C. McInnis, Sr.

After graduating from Gould Academy in Bethel, Mr. McInnis attended the University of Vermont on a scholarship for a short period before enlisting in the Army. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces General Command and was stationed in Germany.

He married Alice Hathaway on October 17, 1948 in Bryant Pond. They made the Trails End Farm in Bryant Pond their home for over 60 years before moving to North Carolina in 2012.

Mr. McInnis was well known in the area for his many years as a local grocer and butcher. He started his career working for Howard MacKillop at MacKillop’s Market in Bryant Pond. After purchasing that business he operated Ken’s Market for many years before going to work for his brother-in-law, Ellsworth Hathaway, as a butcher at the Locke Mills General Store. He retired from the retail grocery business while working as a butcher at the Bethel IGA. His "retirement" then led him to a part-time position at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Bryant Pond, where he worked for almost 20 years, finally retiring at the age of 84.

He was a member of the Jefferson Lodge #100 A.F. & A.M. of Bryant Pond, member of the West Bethel Union Church, member of the Gould Academy Alumni Association, a Past Patron of Jefferson Chapter # 89 O.E.S, member of the American Legion Jackson-Silver Post # 68 and former member of the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed many fishing trips with friends to well-known places like Moosehead Lake, Chain of Ponds, Parmachenee, Indian Pond, Flagstaff, Aziscohos and of course Lake Christopher. Some of his fondest memories were of the many RV trips across the United States he and his wife made with Willie and Joyce Hathaway during their retirement years.

Mr. McInnis is survived by his wife, Alice; son, Stuart and wife Deborah of Mills River, NC; daughter, Gail Buker and husband Robert of West Bethel; daughter, Susanne Sanders and husband Scott of Stratton Mountain, VT; son, Mark and wife Kim of Dover, FL; sister, Lois Howe and husband Charles of Bryant Pond; sister, Ruth Chapman of Orange Park, FL; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Donald.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations of remembrance be made to the West Bethel Union Church in West Bethel. Groce Funeral Home, Arden, NC is in charge of arrangements. An online memorial register is available at grocefuneralhome.com.