Remembering Ken

Ken had many wonderful friends! Feel free to share a fond memory of Ken. To post a submission, please e-mail Alison at mrcwebmaster@comcast.net.

Entries from Ken's Friends

I just returned from New Gloucester, Maine where I was visiting my folks and doing a few concerts of my own. We were talking about Ken and the times he had sung at various churches where my dad ministered. I had the privilege of hearing him twice. He had an impact on me and was an early influence in my music ministry. He is missed.
Jeff Grindle

We became friends with Ken more than 25 years ago when I (Willie) came to pastor the Portsmouth Advent Christian Church. How could anyone not like Ken? His gentle spirit and kind heart were so endearing. He was a first-class encourager. Often I told him in recent years that he was a much better friend to me than I was to him. He initiated phone calls just to chat about what was happening in our lives, sent emails to nudge me to meet him for a bagel downtown, and treated us to lunch at some special places (like the Japanese restaurant in Portsmouth).

Ken’s music was a great blessing to us. His humor and a superb knack for storytelling endeared him to so many. He embarrassed me on more than one occasion when I was in the audience with some story that he recalled. I have to admit that his recollection of some of them did not match my memory. I think he enjoyed the art of exaggeration.

It was my privilege to serve on his ministry board and to provide pastoral care and counsel as he sought to serve the Lord with integrity in his music. I also had the privilege of baptizing Ken by immersion. I will always remember that he wanted Charlie Bold in the baptism tank with us, just in case I couldn’t get him up from under the water. I told him not to worry. I had not drowned anyone yet. That wasn’t much comfort to him.

We will miss Ken greatly. But we will have the legacy of his music and friendship to bless us and remind us that “the Lord is on our side.”
Rev. Willie & Cindy Batson

I worked with Ken for the better part of a year helping him with sound/set-up and the like. I grew quite fond of his singing. He talked always of his mother and the reunion the would share one day. My immediate thought upon hearing that he was home, was that he was with his mother and how happy he now was. As of late, I would talk with Ken quite often on the phone, and he always had words of encouragement for me. I remember mostly that Ken loved to laugh. He could tell stories that would have whole groups rolling. He had many stories of his travels. Ken, you are missed, and I look forward to seeing you again one day.
Tom Daniels

We met Ken about 25 years ago when he did several concerts at our church in Massachusetts. My daughter and I now live in Maine and caught up with Ken again last year at a concert in W. Gardiner, and proceeded to attend several of his concerts up here. Since then we became good friends, and the picture here on this website is of Ken, Emma and Bob at our home in Whitefield, in June of this year. They're standing in front of our pond and gardens. Ken loved our gardens and enjoyed the peacefulness and seclusion we have here. We all had such a wonderful time. (Wish he had taken off his sunglasses for the picture) Ken and I shared many thoughts, prayer requests and memories via email, one of them being the ache in my heart that I still have since my 24 year old son Timothy went home to be with the Lord in 1998. Ken was always so encouraging. He was happy to oblige me when I asked him a few times to sing special songs for me. One that had special meaning was "Suppertime." Another was "Consider The Lilies," which Timothy loved. Ken is now with the Lord and when we all see him again, what a wonderful reunion we'll have around God's table. Ken was a gifted man of God and it's so sad for us that he's gone, but wonderful for him. We will miss him tremendously, but what "joy we'll all have in the morning." We love you Ken! Say "Hello" to my Timothy and give him a hug from me.
Joyce and Kathleen W. of Whitefield, ME

We at WWNH am 1340 are deeply moved by the passing of our good friend Ken Fernald. When I came to this area over 20 years ago to start WWNH, brother Ken was well on his way in his ministries. You see Ken had more than just a music ministry. Had had the gift of helps and encouragement to many of on the front line for Jesus. Ken would always come to WWNH and help us during sharathons both fall and spring to raise funds to spread God’s word via the radio. Yet Ken did so much more there was many times when I would call Ken early and put him on the air live and he would stop by our live remote broadcast locations like blood drives, and such . Now since we recorded many times when Ken was on the air with us we are going to broadcast two tributes to Ken. First, Friday Oct 17th from 5pm to 6pm on am 1340 WWNH and Saturday Oct 18th from 9am -10am we are also in hope to have the broadcast on the web at loveradio.net for people that wish to listen and are not able to hear WWNH. Ken was much more of a friend to us at WWNH he was a partner to help us spread God’s love in seacoast NH and southern Maine for over 18 years we aired the Ken Fernald corner encouraging local artist to keep up the work of the ministry. So for you that are missing a good friend remember as it tells us in God's word we have a great cloud of witnesses that are cheering us on from heaven and one of them is now our friend Ken. Brian Dodge

"It is difficult to sum up the influence Ken Fernald had on so many people. We had a personal friendship for over 30 years. We traveled together all over New England in crusades and conferences. Ken was a model of what a Christian is all about.
He was a man drenched with Christ. It s eems the Inner Voice one day spoke to him, saying, "Ken, if you will permit me, I'll let you sing for me throuogh New England," It was enough. And for over 27 years God worked spiritual miracles through His servant.
As Christ was his Savior and Sovereign, so Christ was his daily song. And he sungthat song for years. And sing it he still does - in some higher, finer key. While he noe belongs to the ages, his holy influence lives on."
Your dear friend, who will mightily miss you, Reg Dunlap

We loved Ken dearly and was so blessed by his music! When our oldest sister heard the news she said through tears, "When he sang, you knew he was a man of God!" What greater tribute to one who gave of all he had to all, in song, in friendship, love and yes, in sharing what little he had of this world's goods! My last comment to him a week before he died was this: "Ken, your voice is better than ever!" As I look back on it now, I think the Lord was perhaps preparing him for his first concert in heaven! How we will miss him! You're home, Ken ---"It's SUPPERTIME" Rosalie Tavilla for the entire Tavilla family.

We are so sorry to hear of Ken Fernald's death.
The Grace Notes came to know Ken over the years and we had great respect and admiration for Ken and his commitment to serving Jesus . I am sure Ken would be pleased to know that his example has strengthen The Grace Notes resolve to carry on ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song. Ken loved us and we loved Ken.
Dave Priebe (for all The Grace Notes)

Well, dear friend, it has been well over a week that you have been with the Lord. We know it is all you expected, and more.
For all the things you did for us, without even knowing, for all you meant to us, we pray we told you often how much we love you, for the times you sang to us, knowing we had a burden on our hearts that Jesus was lifting through your music, for all those mischievous smiles that made me wonder what was going on in that head of yours, for the days you were a bit down I pray we lifted your spirit, and most of all the absolute love you showed us in so many ways, THANK YOU. If all you ever did was love us, it would have been more than enough.
Jesus came to us in many ways through the years, but never so much as He did when you were singing to His Glory.
We will not say good-by, just 'we will be together again in person', and until then, your spirit lives on in our hearts.
Willis and Lois (Kennebunk, Me)

I am also deeply by Ken's passing. I first heard Ken at my sister-in-law's funeral in Kezar Falls. Norman Bolduc had a tape of the song "Serenaded by Angels" and played it during the ceremony. It was so appropriate for Janice as she had battled a long and painful time with colon cancer. The song was so appropriate for her that I asked Norman for the name of the singer and this is when I first learned of Ken. I sent him an e-mail and purchased the tape. I was able to attend one of his concerts at a local church last winter and was looking forward to seeing him again soon as I was getting his dates of concerts and noticed that he was to sing locally once again. I heard of his passing at our church, Calvary Bible Church in South Hiram on Sunday. Although I know he is very happy to be with his mother and his good friend, Ernie Tavilla, we are all saddened by the loss. He will be greatly missed and remembered for his beautiful music. I am very sure he is now amongst the Lord's choir of angels. I will keep you all in prayers during the days ahead. Sandy Trueworthy

We started attending Ken Fernald concerts almost ten years ago when Ken
came to the Chelmsford Street Baptist Church, Lowell where I was rector of Saint John's Episcopal Church from which I retired in 2004 and moved to Sabattus, Maine. My friend and companion in retirement, Charlie Duffy accompanied me to a number of Ken's regular concerts, including Lewiston's First Church of the Nazarene. We did not hesitate to travel to New Hampshire for Ken's annual concert with some of his past students or to the annual summer picnic. Ken's deep commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ was so evident in his singing and compositions. Ken's good humor was especially appreciated when I had some difficult times pastoring. Everett Palmer's gentle announcement of Ken's death is so reflective of the legacy Ken has left us in his CDs. John Crother's faithfulness as Ken's friend and advisor will never be forgotten.
I am sure that God thanks all of you who were so supportive of Ken and his music ministry over the years. I suspect that Ken's melodious voice and words of encouragement to all who knew him will continue before God's throne eterally. Fr. K. Gordon White

I wanted to say how much I will miss Ken.
I first met him at our church. I was going through a difficult time and Ken sang a song just for me during the service. But it was one of his other songs that I play over and over when the hard times come. That song is God on the Mountain.
It reminds me that God is God in the good and the hard times. On the mountain or in the valley God is always with us. His music will always continue to bless me Carolyn M. Smith

I first met Ken some 20 years ago at a Men's retreat at Monadnock Bible Conference in Jaffrey, NH. Oh how he loved to sing to the men there. Ken was an inspiration to me as a new Christian. My wife Debbie and I began to follow Ken and his music at concerts in MA. We later invited him on 3 occasions to come to our home in Carver, MA for summer concerts. Oh how our family and friends enjoyed his wonderful songs. We will miss Ken and his gracious loving kindness to all. We look forward to the day that we can be with him again.
David & Debbie Glass, Carver, MA

I remember meeting ken at the Rumney Bible Conference and also at the church in West Bridgewater I grew up in. After we moved to Maine my mother and I went to see him at a camp up here. I didn't really believe it but he remembered us! He was such a great man. He will be greatly missed. David Keefer and Mona Pratt -- Farmingdale, Maine

Well done thou good and faithful servant!! Enter into to joy of the Lord.
Ken will be missed by all of us, however I know he is now enjoying the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in the City of Heaven, singing a song that the angels cannot sing.
Pastor Laren Whaley, Harvest of Praise Church of God, Rochester, New Hampshire

We are very grateful for Ken Fernald's ministry of music here in Taunton, Mass.   We will miss him.  We will celebrate the saving grace
of our Lord through Ken's recorded music. W. Skilling

I have known Ken as long as I remember.  My childhood memories are full of my whole family piling into the car or most recently our van and going to as many concerts as we could make it to.  Ken quickly grew from being one of my favorite singers to a very good friend of mine.  A couple years ago, Ken was singing what is now my favorite song of his, "Look For Me", when he stopped and asked me if I would look for him.  I nodded, a few tears filling my eyes.  This one's for you, Ken...  "I'll look for you/I know you'll be there too/I realize when I arrive/there'll be so much to view/After I've been there ten thousand years/A million, maybe two/I'll look for you/I know you'll be there too."    Sarah Wilkins, Plymouth, NH

It has been my privilege to know Ken for the last 30 years, and although we weren't close friends as best friends go, we've managed to keep in touch. I first met Ken at my church, Bethel Assembly Of God, at one of his concerts when I was nineteen. He introduced himself after the service which our worship team opened for him (which I was a part of and still am) and said “Hi, I'm Ken Fernald, I've heard a lot about you, would you be interested in singing with me?” I had never met the man before, little did I know he had been attending Bethel on and off over the years and had heard me sing. I wanted to meet him, and as it turned out he was wanting to meet me, go figure. That's what was great about Ken and set him apart from others. It wasn't about him (Ken and "friends.") It was about making relationships; first his Savior, then family and then others. He always told me, “Dana, don't hide your gift, whenever you want to sing don't hesitate to call me.” I enjoyed the times we shared the stage together, and the times we had to just talk. I will miss you greatly my friend, The Eye Is On the Sparrow, Dana Cocchiaro

Ken was kind enough to sing many times at our small Chapel of St. John of the Mountains in Ellsworth, NH, in the Plymouth, Rumney area. He was there this past summer and I was hoping he would sing "Serenaded by Angels." It was special to me because the first time I heard heard him sing it was right after my husband passed away. After the performance, he said, "I had it right there; I wish you had said something."
So, we heard on the 5th of October at the Chapel service that he was at the Ashland Baptist Church that night and decided to stop on our way home.....even though he was planning to do a concert in November at the Campton Congregational Church where I play organ . I, again, was hoping to hear it, but that night he sang new songs. He said by the time he honored
requests for his signature songs, it filled the program and he felt some people decided to skip his concerts because they thought he wouldn't do anything new. I planned to request it for sure in November, no matter what !
Well, I will now have to be content to listen to it on my CD player in the car. I will miss him. I always sat right in the first row so I could watch as well as hear him. I am SO glad we stopped at his last concert. We might have passed it up with the excuse that we should get home early or that we would see him in November. It is a lesson we should all remember. Don't put things off. Another occasion might not present itself.
I know he is being "Serenaded by Angels" now. Diane Bucharelli, Northfield, NH

I met Ken back in the 80’s when he was working with developmentally delayed children at the Rehabilitation Center in Portsmouth. I feel fortunate to have known him then and to have heard his beautiful music through the years.        Joyce Davies

 We have known Ken for over 20 years and he has blessed us through the years by coming and ministering to our children’s camp "A New Beginning Camp and Fellowship"   He continually came and shared with the children the "Good News of Jesus",  in song and in testimony, we consider it a great honor to have been included in his family of Christ.  Looking forward to seeing you in heaven Ken.
Love in Christ, Bill and Barbara Woodward, Epping, NH

I have had the privilege of working on Ken's website since 2003. Through the years I have come to greatly value his friendship, wisdom and spiritual encouragement. My e-mail inbox will be a much emptier place without him! Our church, Mill Road Baptist of Kingston, NH has supported Ken as a Missionary and we will greatly miss his presence in New England. Alison Scher