Kenneth J. Plourde Sr.

Kenneth Plourde, 77, of Largo, Florida (and always of Biddeford, Maine), passed peacefully on Sunday evening, July 19, 2026, from congestive heart failure. He went by many names over the years, some called him Kenny, others Big Ken, Mr. Ken, and he will always be Dad to the lucky ones.

Ken was born in Biddeford at the old Webber Hospital on July 2, 1949, to Omer C. Plourde and Madeline A. (Sheehan) Plourde, both of Biddeford, Maine. Ken was the oldest of two boys, his wonderful brother Carl O. Plourde predeceased him in 2014. He was a student at Biddeford High School, as a member of the class of 1967. He excelled at academics and football until a knee injury sidelined him in his senior year. His love for the game kept him on the sidelines for 40 years as part of the “Chain Gang”; manning the downs box for the Biddeford Tigers home games until passing the baton in 2014 to good friend Denis.

Ken found love and marriage twice in his life. His first wife, Jane McNaughton who passed in the mid-70s, had a baby girl, Lauren Jane, from a prior relationship. Upon Jane’s passing, Ken legally adopted Lauren as his own. In September 1976, Ken married Frances (Fran) Lothrop of Portland, Maine. Though their marriage wasn’t perfect and did not last, the family they built did. Ken and Fran raised Lauren together, and had two additional children, Kenneth Jr. (Kenny) in 1977 (deceased) and Megan in 1981.

Ken was a hard worker. At the early age of 14 he was working for Delorge’s Bakery in Biddeford baking bread. Once he got his license he began delivering the baked items, which led to his time with Atlantic Distributors where he delivered Cott Soda, where he transitioned from deliveries to sales. He spent most of the 80s and 90s working in paint sales. He found his passion for this industry at McKenney & Heard, Biddeford Maine Hardware, Maine Linoleum, and then realized his dream of owning his own shop in 1988 when York County Paint and Supply was born (tee-shirts still exist). His little business was quite successful for many years, earning a write-up in an industry publication for being a national leader in California Paint Product sales. Unfortunately, the world changed and big box stores pushed many mom-and-pop stores out of the market; Ken’s store was not immune. The paint store closed in 2000, when he started a new chapter as beloved school bus driver Mr. Ken, caring for the special needs students in the Biddeford school district for 15 years before retiring and moving to Florida.

Ken was always active in the community, participating as a board member for multiple La Kermesse festivals, as President of the Biddeford Band Boosters in the late 1990s, he was always an active “Stage Dad” for Meg’s dance team always manning the camera for recitals, all while participating on the aforementioned “Chain Gang”. He was well known and respected in the community, making life difficult for his children during their teen years. To know him was to love him and be cared for by him. Ken was the dad that was always there, with a ride home from practice, pizzas during competitions, or a spotted $10 for a hungry kiddo at a football game. In his final years he was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 119 in Largo, Florida.

Ken is survived by his ex-wife Frances Plourde, his daughters Lauren Cote and Megan Linscott, 5 grandchildren Chantal Dubois, Paige Ford, Camdyn Cote, Tyler Plourde and Erica Plourde, one great-grandson, his sister-in-law, 2 nieces, multiple cousins, and lots of fur-grandbabies.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Ken on August 7, 2026. The day will start with a grave side service for close family and friends at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Biddeford, Maine at 11AM where he will be interred with his parents. Please note this will be standing room only, so please bring a folding chair if required. The celebration will then be moved to The Elks Lodge in Saco, Maine from 1-3PM; this event is open to all that knew him. Ken was not a solemn man, so bring your stories and share. Let’s send him off with a Ken style laugh-fest.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Ken’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, a local Animal Rescue (non-kill), or a local Food Bank.