Obituary of Kenneth S. Paden

Kenneth S. Paden of Sidney Kenneth S. Paden, 60, of Sidney passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 25, 2015. He was born on July 7, 1954 in Norwich, New York, the son of Maurice and Lola (Law) Paden. Ken is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sue; daughters Kelly and Kristy Paden; his parents Maurice and Lola Paden of Oxford; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Maria Paden of Hawaii and Ronald and Ellen Paden of McDonough; his sister and brother-in-law Maurine and Donald Hoyt of Romulus; sister-in-law Jeanne Paden of Oxford; his uncle and aunts, James Paden, Caroline Whitney, Barbara Lawton and Ruth Potter; his mother-in-law Helen Menz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother David Paden. Ken was a graduate of Oxford Academy and Central School. He served four years in the United States Air Force as an information specialist achieving the rank of Sergeant. While serving in the Air Force he received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with devices, and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his discharge, Ken was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his performance as editor of the weekly publication “Monitor” at Whiteman Air Force Base. At the time, Ken was believed to be the youngest newspaper editor in the Air Force. After serving in the military, Ken graduated from SUNY Morrisville with a degree in journalism and attended SUNY Oneonta where he majored in literature. He joined the staff of the Norwich Evening Sun as a part-time sports writer and served briefly on the Sun’s advertising staff. In the late 1970s, Ken was hired to work in various capacities at Twin Valley Publications, which included The Tri-Town News. He became co-owner of Sidney Favorite Printing in 1985 and co-owner of The Tri-Town News in 1986 and the weekly newspapers in Greene, Oxford, Whitney Point, and Hancock in 1987. In later years he became the sole owner of the newspapers and the print shop until their recent sales. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 6, beginning at 1 p.m. and continuing throughout the afternoon, at the American Legion, 22 Union Street, Sidney. Ken will be laid to rest in Albany Rural Cemetery. A memorial donation may be made to Ken’s family toward a plaque in his name at the Sidney Veterans Memorial Park c/o C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 2086, Sidney, New York. Any excess donations will go to the Delaware Valley Humane Society. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.