Kenneth Arnold Frazier, Jr.

Rev. Kenneth Arnold Frazier Jr., of Rocky Hill, passed away suddenly on April 27, 2023, less than one week after his 80th birthday. Ken joins in heaven his wife of 32 years Emily Susan Frazier and his parents, Kenneth Arnold Frazier Sr., and Mary Alice Binkley Frazier.

He leaves to mourn his beloved daughters, Jennifer (Frazier) Chadukiewicz and her husband Michael of Cromwell, Leah (Frazier) Natale and her husband Michael of Middletown, his daughter and best friend Sara Elizabeth Frazier of Rocky Hill, his longtime loving companion Harriet Winograd, of West Hartford and her daughters Joanna, Eliza, and Cynthia. He left behind many treasured grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as “Pawpaw”; Michael, Joey, Danielle, Mariah and James Chadukiewicz and Taylor Wood; Mike, Nicholas, and Anthony Natale; Aubrey and Emily Poisson; and two very special grand-birds Takoda and Oliver. In addition, he was “Grandpa Ken” to Ayla, Nico, and Wynn. He had three great-grandchildren Juliana, Chloe, and Joey Chadukiewicz.  Ken leaves his dear siblings, Patricia Frazier Stettler Wood of GA, Steve Frazier, and his wife Patricia of FL, Dale Frazier, and his wife Sherri of GA, his cousin Tim Binkley who was like a brother, and many close cousins on the Binkley and Frazier sides. He leaves many special nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, too many to count but so precious to him. He will be remembered fondly by many dear friends and parishioners. He was fondly known as “Dad” or “Pawpaw” to the many friends of his children and grandchildren.

Ken was a veteran of the Vietnam War, a sailor in the US Navy serving four years as a cryptologic technician in Okinawa, Guam, and the Philippines until he was honorably discharged in 1968. Ken married Susan Frazier and they lived in Montgomery AL for several years before moving to West Virginia where he attended Bethany University. Ken was raised in the Church of Christ and was in a long line of preachers. He attended Yale Divinity School where he earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Sacred Theology. He was ordained into the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. He was a beloved UCC Minister for over 40 years, first called to Stanley Memorial Church in New Britain for 20 years, the Chaplain at the Veteran’s Home in Rocky Hill for 10 years and served 17 years as the Senior Minister at the First Congregational Church in Waterbury until his retirement in 2021. He was supply and interim pastor in Monroe, Weston, Watertown, and Meriden Congregations. Through these pastoral callings Ken made many close friends.

Ken had a servant’s heart, and that was evident when he returned to his roots, retiring to the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. Once again, he had a flock to shepherd and had a positive impact on all those he encountered. He participated in the chapel services and weekly bible classes, he loved to sing hymns and was a gifted singer of four-part harmony with his siblings, was an avid photographer, loved a good scrabble game, could not wait for lunch time in the cafeteria, and was an active participant in the cultural field trips offered. Most importantly he listened with compassion to his fellow veterans. As a friend of Bill W., with 39 years sober, he was instrumental in getting the in-person AA meetings up and running again after a long hiatus. He will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, friends, and staff alike.

Our father’s desire was that all services be held at the Veterans Home, 287 West Street, Rocky Hill on May 15th, 2023. Calling hours will be 9:30-10:30 am followed by a service at 10:30am, both in the Lower Residential Chapel. Interment will be in the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown where full military honors will be accorded. All are encouraged to attend and celebrate his long and special life.

His family would like to thank all the trained staff and response team at the Veteran’s Home in Rocky Hill who acted swiftly and valiantly to resuscitate him, and for the bystanders who held his hand, and prayed over him. We are comforted to know that at the time of his death he was surrounded by people that loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers please consider an offering in his name to The Sara E. Frazier Fund to sustain the lifelong legacy he had for his daughter’s care, c/o Liberty Bank, 534 Main Street, Cromwell CT 06416 or https://gofund.me/79e894c7.  To share memories or send condolences, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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