The Reverend Ken Sawyer, 77 passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022 surrounded by the love, care, and comfort of his wife, Carol and their daughters, Amy and Becca.
Ken was born July 5,1944 in Summit, N.J., the son of the late Warren Folger Sawyer and Eleanor (Tomlinson) Sawyer.
He is survived by his wife Carol A. (Wolcott) Sawyer of Wayland, two daughters; Amy Sawyer Washek and her husband Kevin of Framingham, and Rebecca “Becca” Sawyer Howard and her husband Kevin of Acton, beloved grandchildren; Tucker Beckett and his wife Victoria of CT, Tory Beckett of Wayland, and Elizabeth Howard of Acton; sisters Anne Harris and Lynne Sawyer of MT, bother David Sawyer of CO; and several nieces and nephews.
Ken graduated from Amherst College in 1966 and later from Harvard Divinity School. He began his ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Houlton, ME in 1970 and then in 1974 he and his family moved to Wayland.
Ken served First Parish from 1974 to 2012, a 38-year ministry marked by the congregation’s steady growth, strength of community, and long-term stability. A gifted preacher known for his humor and his affection for humanity and all its foibles, Ken mentored 18 ministerial interns during his tenure at First Parish. Upon his retirement in 2012, the congregation unanimously voted “with deep affection and gratitude” to designate Ken as our Minister Emeritus.
Ken compassionately brought his ministry to people of all walks and in all stages of their lives. He was a dedicated advocate for equity and he respected the innate dignity of everyone that he met. He will be remembered as someone who made everyone feel important, heard, and not forgotten.
Ken lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed hiking, cycling, and kayaking with Carol over the years. They spent many afternoons on their sunny deck reading, enjoying nature, looking out over his flower and vegetable gardens, and sharing cherished time with family. They spent many joyful Summers on the coast of Maine. He learned about and created art in several mediums. He loved to travel. He was ever in awe of nature and the human spirit, and was insatiably curious to see, explore, and come to understand the world and the people around himself.
Ken’s family would like to thank the staff at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, MA for their compassionate care and support during Ken’s time there.
A Memorial Service of Remembrance will be held for his family, friends, and the congregants of First Parish in Wayland on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11 o’clock. Masks are required in church.
His family requests, in lieu of flowers, that Ken be remembered and honored with gifts to First Parish in Wayland, POB 397, Wayland, MA 01778 or to UU Urban Ministry at UUUM.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. For condolences, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.