APPLETON — Kenneth William Sanderson, 59, of Appleton, died on Friday, July 5, 2019 at the Sussman House in Rockport.  

Born in Watertown, New York, on January 7, 1960, he was the son of Franklin James and Elvira (DeNardo) Sanderson.

Following high school, Ken attended school to be an auto mechanic in Syracuse, NY, and later received a certificate in computer networking from Frederick Community College in Frederick, MD

For many years, he  worked at various auto dealerships as a lead technician; seven years with Sanderson Contracting; three years as project manager with Sierra Design; and retired after five years from the U.S. Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, in the Hydro Mechanics Department, where he assisted with testing of ship and submarine models.

Kenny’s first love was the guitar among many other instruments plus performing lead vocals. He was in multiple bands and also had a solo acoustic act that took him all over the Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania area. He loved working with music electronics and often ran sound and lighting for other music acts as well. 

He was an avid fisherman, which he thoroughly enjoyed in upstate NY, Maryland and Maine. Ken also loved trains, cooking, camping, computers and many woodworking and construction projects including turning a one car garage into a fully equipped music and recording studio.

On June 5, 1993, he married Elizabeth Gilley in Middletown, Maryland. In 2015, Ken and Beth moved from Boonsboro, Maryland to Appleton.

Surviving is his wife, Elizabeth Sanderson of Appleton; four children, Jessica L. Sanderson, Janice C. O’Donnell (Ryan), Nicholas G. Sanderson, and Skye T. Sanderson; one brother, Frank (Mary) Sanderson of Kill Devil Hills, NC; four sisters, Rita (Neal) Petry of Virginia Beach, VA, Carol (Andy) Samul of Marathon, FL, Cindy (Stuart) Blacklaw of Crescent, PA, Michelle (Mark) Nitschke of Clayton, NY; four grandchildren, Dominique Shipley, Elvira Shipley, Riley O’Donnell, Addyson O’Donnell; father-in-law, Roy Gilley and his wife, Janis; mother-in-law, Lynn Gilley; sister-in-law, Amy Gilley; and many nieces and nephews. 

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, July 9, from 5-7 p.m., at the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden. 

 A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 10, at 1 p.m., at the First Congregational Church UCC, 55 Elm Street, Camden, with the Rev. Dr. Ute Mollitor officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Camden. 

If desired, memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospitals or the Sussman House, c/o Maine Health Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841. 

 Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.