Kenneth E. Sliter, 90, WWII Navy Veteran, Florist and Landscaper, passed away on Friday evening, September 9, 2011 at Sunset Nursing Home in Boonville.
Ken joins his beloved wife of 66 years, Joyce who predeceased him August 8 of this year.
Ken was born in Lowville, NY on September 20, 1920, the son of Merton and Dora Shepard Sliter. He graduated from Lowville Academy in 1938. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II.
He served as a Signalman in the 1st Beach Battalion in the Navy Amphibious Force.
The Battalion participated in establishing beachheads in Sicily, Salerno and Anzio in Italy, and in the South of France.
He later served on the U.S.S. Bingham establishing Beach-heads in Okinawa with the U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater.
He was awarded five Battle Stars and various other awards of Merit.
He married Joyce Martin of Lowville on October 28, 1944 at the United Methodist Church Parsonage in Lowville.
Together they founded the Port Florist Flower Shop and Garden Center in 1947. They operated the business for 34 years.
In semi-retirement Ken and Joyce owned and operated the Old Forge Landscape Service in Old Forge until retirement in 1998.
Ken was a member of the post-WWII American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp of Lowville, the Port Leyden Fire Department for 20 years and he served on the Board of South Lewis Central School for seven years, two as president.
He was also a member and past-president of the Utica-Rome Camp of Gideons International, and a member of the Port Leyden Cemetery Association.
He was currently a member of the American Legion Post of Lowville and the VFW Post of Boonville.
Ken is survived by three daughters: Bethany Ardizzone (Gary) of Hudson, FL; Donna Moshier of Liverpool, NY; and Susan Winters (James) of Forestport, NY; one son, Timothy of California; three grandchildren: Tracy Moshier of Guam; Kelly Moshier of Syracuse, NY; Benjamin Winters of Forestport; and one great-grandson, Zehr Moshier-Fabro of Guam.
Ken wrote his Memoirs in three booklets. He loved a connection with people, and touched many lives with years of kindness, caring and generosity.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, September 14 at the Bossuot-Lundy Funeral Home, Inc., 10229 Washington St., Copenhagen, with the Rev. Evan Zehr officiating. Burial followed at Port Leyden Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Lewis County Hospice, 7785 State St. Lowville, NY 13367 or the charity of one’s choice.
