1903 – 2003

AUBURN – C. Kenneth Conner, 99, of Minot Ave., passed away Thursday, April 24, at Clover Manor Nursing Home.

He was born in Auburn, Dec. 4, 1903, the son of Charles E. and Annie H. Conner. Educated in the Auburn public schools, graduated from Edward Little High School in 1921, and from Bates College in 1925.

Attended theatre management school in New York City, and thereafter managed theatres in Chelsea, Mass., and Concord, N.H., and was located in the letter city at the time of his marriage to Florence M. Worthen in 1927.

He returned to Auburn to manage the newly opened Auburn Theatre in 1928. Transferred to the Empire Theatre, Lewiston in 1929, which he continued to manage until 1964, when he entered the employ of Geiger Bros. as manager of their Book-Almanac Department.

He continued this work until 1977, in the meantime becoming Associate Editor of the Farmer’s Almanac. In 1977 he retired, but continued to perform editorial duties as a consultant until 1988.

He was a past campaign chairman and president of the United Fund, was for 10 years a trustee of CMG Hospital, and was for 10 years president of the board of trustees of the Auburn Public Library.

He was an active alumnus of Bates College, and was for many years president and secretary of its Class of 1925.

He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Malcolm P. (Carol) Sawyer of Mechanic Falls, Mrs. Harold J. (Mary Ellen) Goss Jr. of Poland, and Mrs. Frank M. (Constance) Drigotas Jr. of Biloxi, Miss.; 19 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Florence in July of 2000; his daughter, Mrs. John H. (Natalie) Young in December of 2001; a brother, Warren E. Conner; and a sister, Grace Conner Baldwin.