Kenneth C. “Ken” Carlin

AUBURN – Kenneth C. “Ken” Carlin, 93, of Mechanic Falls passed away peacefully on Nov. 6, 2023. Ken was born at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston on June 18, 1930, to mother Grace Stowell Holt. Ken grew up on Highland Avenue in Mechanic Falls, only briefly living in Augusta from 1936 – 1938 before returning to his Highland Avenue home in 1938. Ken graduated from Mechanic Falls High School in June of 1948.

After Graduation Ken’s first job was at Nelson, Son & Page in Mechanic Falls. Later Paul E. Merrill “PEMCO” bought out Nelson, Son & Page, and Ken continued to work there until 1962. Ken often told the story of how his mother handed him an application on his 21st birthday and told him to apply to the Masonic Lodge. He was initiated into Tyrian Lodge #73 at the age of 21 in December of 1951 and raised on January 24, 1952.

The Lodge was a big part of Ken’s life. He had over 70 years of service and held various positions over the years including Master in 1965 and District Deputy for the 23rd District in 1978. He was nominated Mason of the Year for the 23rd Masonic District in 1991. He was also the Grand Representative to Italy for the Grand Lodge of Maine. Ken was coronated a 33rd Degree Mason for the Scottish Rite in August of 1993.

Ken was the sole provider for his mother Grace until she passed away in 1955. After his mother passed, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served for 2 years starting with training and radio school in Fort Dix New Jersey. Before he was drafted, Ken met the love of his life, Doris Virginia Groves, through his niece Joan Thurlow. Ken told Doris that he wanted to marry her, but she told him she would only marry him if he felt the same way when he returned home from the service. The U.S. Army Forces Far East sent Ken to Korea in 1956 unassigned. He ended up in the Military Police and then to Motor Pool as a Shop Foreman and finally a Specialist 3rd Class. He was in Korea for 16 months returning home in September 1957. He then enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves for a total of 6 years as a Sergeant.

Ken finally married the love of his life, Doris Virginia Groves, on Nov. 10, 1957, at the Methodist Church in Mechanic Falls, Maine. Doris was a homemaker and Ken always said she didn’t work outside of the home, but she worked inside of it to care for their family. Together they had three daughters, Virginia, Corinne, and Cheryl. Ken was always a proud dad and husband above all else. He loved his girls more than anything.

In 1962, Ken purchased the Sheet Metal Shop on Maple Street in Mechanic Falls. In 1963, he was given the opportunity to work at the Mechanic Falls Post Office. He did this part time and ran the Sheet Metal Shop as well. He eventually leased out the Sheet Metal Shop and worked nights at Paris Manufacturing until he sold the Sheet Metal Shop in 1965 and began to work full time for the Post Office. He became Postmaster in 1973 and held that position until his retirement in 1990 at the age of 60.

In retirement Ken enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. They spent many weekends together in Casco Bay on Cousin’s Island where Doris grew up. Ken and Doris resided on Highland Avenue in Mechanic Falls for their entire marriage. Doris passed away suddenly on Jan. 1, 2006, and Ken has missed her ever since.

Even if you didn’t know Ken, you more than likely saw him over the years at Kathy’s Diner in Mechanic Falls. Ken was a regular at Kathy’s for over 20 years. Kathy’s was his favorite place to enjoy a good meal, especially breakfast. While he always enjoyed the food, we think he liked to socialize and see everyone there even more.

The family would like to thank Clover Manor Assisted Living in Auburn for giving Ken a comfortable place to live in the last few months of his life. We would also like to thank the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn for their care in Ken’s final days.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Doris; his mother, a brother, Russell Holt, and sisters Ethel Thurlow, Thelma Allen, and Patricia Thurlow. He is survived by his three daughters, Virginia Lincoln and her husband Tom of Hampden, Corinne Moore and her husband Eric of Mechanic Falls, and Cheryl Royal and her husband Jeff of Gray; grandchildren, Chelsea Hodgdon and her husband Sam, Emily Lincoln and her fiancé Colin, Nicole Morris and her husband Ted, Scott Jenkins and his wife Amy, Jacob Moore, Seth Farrington, and Brooke Yankowsky and her husband Alex; great-grandchildren, Halie and Brycin Vachon, Emily Morris, Emma Jenkins, Grace LeVasseur, Lincoln Hodgdon, Leonardo and Capri MacDonald, Elsa and Evelyn Farrington and Mabel Yankowsky.

Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.

Visiting hours will be held from 1 – 3 p.m. with public Masonic services at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26 at Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 26 W. Dwinal Street, Mechanic Falls. We invite friends and family to join us for refreshments following the services at Tyrian Lodge #73 474 South Main Street, Mechanic Falls.

At Ken’s request, in lieu of flowers please consider donating in his memory to:

Toys for Tots

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

ATTN: James B. Laster

National Gift Processing Center

PO Box 4002036

Des Moines, IA 50340-2036 or to:

Children’s Dyslexia Center of Portland

1897 Congress Street

Portland, ME 04102