Words cannot express how I feel about the passing of Kenny Lyke, a friend, a true gentleman, the hardest working man I know.
Kenny passed away peacefully at the hospital this afternoon with his family by his side.
Many residents knew Kenny as a limousine driver, an EMT-Paramedic at Flanagan Ambulance, a Fire Fighter/EMT at Sikorsky Aircraft, or as the leader of the Orange CERT.
Kenny, Annie Davis, and Tim Smith were instrumental in the establishment of the Orange CERT many years ago.
Annie and Kenny adored, trusted, and treasured one another. They had a friendship that lasted for decades. When Annie died on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, I started a fundraising drive for a memorial bench in Annie’s honor, and Kenny was the first to step up to assist in any way he could. He was my right-hand man throughout the process taking it upon himself to order the bench, find a place to store it until the weather was a little nicer, and recruit Roy Cuzzocreo from Orange Fence to set it in place for us.
The only thing remaining was to hold a dedication. We’d planned it for several months ago, but COVID restrictions and cold and/or rainy weather made it difficult to pin a date down. He called me in late April and left a message for me, that’s the last time I heard his voice. He was admitted into the hospital soon afterward and I was unable to contact him again.
It breaks my heart to dedicate Annie’s bench without Kenny by my side, after his tireless efforts to get it done.
The only comfort I have is picturing Tim Smith giving Kenny a hearty handshake and big bear hug and Annie greeting him with a tender hug as they greet him up in Heaven. Three friends back together again.
Kenny, you already are missed. You were one of a kind. I hope you are pain-free now.
Orange Live will post the details of his funeral arrangements as soon as they become available.
