CHARLTON – Kenneth J. “Kenny” Laferriere, 42, died Sunday, October 25, 2026 in UMass/Memorial Healthcare in Southbridge after being stricken ill at home unexpectedly.
He leaves his wife of 18 years, Kimberly A. “Kim” (Barnes) Laferriere, whom he married on June 21, 2008; 2 sons, Kameron K. Laferriere and Kaiden R. Laferriere; his father, Raymond J. Laferriere, Jr. of Dudley; a brother, Alexander R. Laferriere and his wife Dr. Jeannette Laferriere of Cranston, RI; a sister, Mallory V. Laferriere of North Oxford; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard Barnes, Jr. and Cynthia (March) Barnes of Charlton; his brother-in-law, Matthew Barnes and his wife Megan of Dudley; aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins, including his godmother Janice McGuirk and her husband James of Worcester.
He was born on November 27, 1983 in Worcester and raised in Dudley, the son of the late Robin A. (Wysocki) Laferriere and graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School in 2002. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bridgewater State College (now University) in 2007. He moved to Charlton in 2016.
Kenny received a heart transplant on January 21, 2001 and was proud to share the story of the organ and tissue donation that saved his life. This allowed him to marry and have two sons. His life’s work was dedicated to New England Donor Services in Waltham as the hospital relations coordinator for 35 hospitals in MA, CT and RI. Through organ and tissue donations, many people’s lives were changed for the better. He volunteered for New England Donor events.
Mr. Laferriere was a life member of the First Congregational Church of Dudley. He served there in many capacities, including deacon and technology chair and co-chair of the collections committee. He served on many other committees: missions, nominating, Grange events, collation and formerly the Christmas Fair. He was a delegate to the Central Mass SNEUCC. He was also an honorary male member of the Ladies Benevolent Society.
Kenny belonged to the Dudley Grange #163 and had previously served as the chairman of the Strawberry Festival and the Apple Festival. He was a member of the Black Tavern Historical Society.
He was active in politics and served on the Dudley-Charlton School Committee and the school council. He was currently the Town Moderator in Charlton and a member of the Charlton Democratic Town Committee. He belonged to the Cultural Council and the Historical Commission.
He enjoyed traveling on cruises and going to Cape Cod. Born into a hearing impaired family, he was proficient in sign language. His life centered on his family.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 30, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 14, at 10:00 AM in the First Congregational Church, 135 Center Road, Dudley, with Pastor John R. White officiating. Burial will be in West Ridge Cemetery, Charlton. Donations in his memory may be made to the Kameron and Kaiden Laferriere Educational Fund, c/o the Webster First Federal Credit Union, 29 Trolley Crossing Road, Charlton, MA 01507.