Kenneth L. Toombs - 1924-2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Morgan world lost one of its favorite horse show dads when Kenneth L. Toombs of Monkton, VT, passed away at his home on March 1, shortly after his 86th birthday. Ken was born in Sheepshead Bay, NY in 1924. In 1942, he enlisted in the US Army while attending The Citadel. He was seriously injured in combat in 1944 in Germany while a member of the 102nd Infantry Division.
In 1946, he married Marjorie Post, his wife of 63 years. Together they raised four daughters in Massapequa, NY. Ken owned the Charles E. Krohn Insurance Agency in Massapequa for 40 years before retiring to Vermont in 1989. He enjoyed spending his summers in Island Pond, Vt., his winter vacations in Nassau, Bahamas, his Morgan horses, his two favorite dogs: Zack and Matlock, motorcycles and mowing his lawn.
Ken, Marjorie and their daughter, Joanne Doucette, own South Bay Morgans, and had such World and National Champions as Tedwin Titlist, UVM Farrah, Treble’s Unchained Melody and Starboard’s Ring My Bell.
When Ken wasn’t on the rail watching Joanne or the family’s trainers show their horses, he was enjoying the camaraderie of his Morgan friends. Ken and the late Dr. Stuart Harvey shared a 4 o’clock cocktail at most shows, as well as swapping stories.
Ken's memory is cherished by his wife, Marjorie P. Toombs and his three daughters: Leslie and James Bell of Saratoga Springs, NY; Patricia and Alan Cole of Westmore, VT; and Joanne and Fred Doucette of Monkton, VT.; a brother-in-law, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased in death by his oldest daughter, Nancy Parke Vessalico; his brother, Girard S. Toombs; and sister, Viola Lottman-Radzow.
Family and friends gathered at the Toombs' residence on March 6, to celebrate his life. Contributions can be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 in Ken's memory.
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