Kenneth R. Achilles

  Kenneth R. Achilles, 79, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

  Kenneth was born in St. Johnsbury on December 1, 1943. The third of six children born to Albert and Elizabeth (Page) Achilles, he was raised and educated in Peacham, VT, on the family farm. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from June 1963 through May 1966, after which he settled in St. Johnsbury and went to work at the Atlas Foundry in Concord, VT, followed by delivering milk for Kilfasset Farms.

  On June 22, 1968, Ken married the love of his life, Frances. They spent 55 years together, living in St. Johnsbury and raising their four children: Robert, Elizabeth, Brian, and Michael. Ken ventured out on his own as a contractor in January of 1976 and established St. Johnsbury Overhead Door. For 30 of his years in business, he worked side by side with his son Brian. They successfully operated the business until his retirement on December 31, 2022.

  Family always came first for Ken. He enjoyed many trips with them, including Disney World, coast of Maine, and summer camping trips in Colchester, by the lake.

  In addition to his parents, Ken was predeceased by his mother-in-law Amanda Descoteaux; sister Shirley Patenaude; brother Neil Achilles; brother-in-law Robert Descoteaux; and daughter-in-law Lorie Greenwood Achilles.

  Those he leaves behind include his wife Fran; children Robert, Elizabeth (Nathan), Brian, and Michael; grandchildren Joseph (Madison), Cullan, Kenneth, Benjamin, Aurora, and Noah; aunts Evelyn (Page) Dobbins, and Ruth Page; siblings James, Norman (Carole), and Evelyn (Paul) Nadeau; sister-in-law Charlotte; brother-in-law Richard Patenaude; sisters-in-law Lucille (Joe) DiLorenzo, and Rita (John) Revilla; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

  Friends may call on the family on Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 4-6 PM at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer St., Saint Johnsbury.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 10 AM, officiated by Fr. Lance Harlow at St. John’s Catholic Church, Winter St. St. Johnsbury. A lunch reception at The Elks Club on Western Avenue will immediately follow. All are welcome.