Kenneth A. Gunston

BRUNSWICK – Kenneth A. Gunston of Brunswick, passed away on July 26, 2025, at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, after a long and bravely fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Ken was born on Feb. 9,1941, the first-born son of Doris and Howard Gunston of Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in New York and then served four years in the United States Air Force, helping to develop and test telemetry for the Titan Missile. Following his military service, Ken earned his engineering degree (BSEE) at Northeastern University and in 1967, he married Suzanne Perkins in Westwood, Massachusetts.

Ken and Suzanne raised their four children in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where Ken devoted thirty years to the Foxboro Company, designing software, leading design teams and traveling widely for the company he loved. He was a devoted father and husband who always made time for his children and taught them the importance of helping others. He was a community volunteer – tutoring mathematics, leading scouts, and organizing hiking trips for anyone who was willing to climb with him to the summit of Mount Washington. He could fix cars, restore old houses, build things, and inspire children to learn. Above all, he was kind. In retirement, Ken and Suzanne lived in Arrowsic, where Ken was an enthusiastic sailor, avid hiker, and longtime volunteer at the Maine Maritime Museum.

When Ken was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2009, he set about studying the science of his disease and using his engineering skills to manage his symptoms as they developed and progressed. Ken described his observations and shared his conclusions in writing and in person. As his memory declined, he wrote: “Sometimes I notice what Parkinson’s Disease has not taken. I can still think. I can still love. I can still give. I can forgive. I can remember people I knew, people I still know, and people who allowed me to be their friend.” Everyone who knew and loved Ken also know that although he died with Parkinson’s Disease, he did not allow the disease to defeat him.

Ken leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Suzanne, and his much-loved children: Tor Gunston of Parsippany, New Jersey (Regina Alandy), Hope Gunston (Frederick Ty) of Plainville, Massachusetts, Emily Gunston (Nicholas Sadoski) of Washington, DC, and Christian Gunston of Mansfield, Massachusetts. He also leaves four cherished grandchildren: Noa, Amaya, Sonny, and Anna. He leaves his dear sisters-in-law: Rosalind Perkins of Honolulu, Hawaii, Barbara Perkins of Milton, Massachusetts, Dorothy Gunston of Long Island, New York, and many nieces and nephews of whom he was very proud. Ken was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Lawrence Gunston and his brother-in-law, Wayne Perkins.

Ken’s family is thankful to his friends and caregivers at the Maine Veterans Home and to Compassus Hospice for their support during this last year of Ken’s life.

Services will be held Saturday, August 16, at 10 a.m., at Bethany Congregational Church in Foxborough followed by a burial at the Rockhill Cemetery.

Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.brackettfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough, Maine (https://mainevets.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/20904}.