84, passed away peacefully on March 15, at St. Clare Home in Newport, Rhode Island. He was born on May 12, 1937, to John Carter Brown and Eleanor (Thornton Wood) Washburn in Providence, RI. They resided in East Greenwich, RI. Ken went to Moses Brown, the Brooks School (Trustee, ’55), Harvard University (’59) and received an MBA from the Harvard Business School (’63). He was a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve with active duty aboard the USS Galveston from 1959-1961.

He was preceded in death by his beloved Paula Mills Washburn of 34 years in 2017 and his sister Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Abbott Banjak in 1990. Ken is survived by his own and Paula’s 12 children combined: Ellen Washburn Martin (Terry, Jr.) of Larchmont, New York, Kristin Washburn Covert (Michael) of Astoria, Oregon, and E. Paul Grimm II (Stephanie) of Middletown, RI and 9 step-children: William Foxley, late (Susu), Caroline Conneen (Patrick), Anne Foxley, Matthew Foxley, Jennifer Foxley, Susan Foxley (John Smith), Sara Smith, Catherine Cohen (Laurence) and Daniel Foxley (Megan). 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren including: Benjamin Wood, Oliver Ward and Louisa Tingley Martin, Thayne Washburn Covert, Carter and Ellie Grimm.

He worked as the President and Chairman of Union Wadding Company, a textile manufacturing company, in Pawtucket, RI for 41 years. He firmly believed that one should give back to the community and was deeply committed to numerous professional and civic organizations including serving as a Director of the Board of the RI Hospital Trust National Bank, Wardwell Braiding Machine Company, Simon W. Wardwell Foundation, Providence Energy & Gas Companies, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI (26 years) and a former Chairman and Trustee of Bradley Hospital (41 years), Memorial Hospital (40 years) and Trustee of the Estate of Simon Wardwell. His commitment to Wardwell totaled more than 50 years of service never missing a meeting until his health declined this past year.

He enjoyed and was engaged in several local clubs including Spouting Rock Beach Association (Treasurer 26 years), The Clambake Club, New York Yacht Club, Newport Reading Room, Laurel Brook Club, The Hope Club and Agawam Hunt Club (President 2 years).

Ken was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fly fishing at a remote camp in Labrador, Canada annually for 43 years. His lifelong quest was to catch and release the biggest trout. He also appreciated the pristine rivers, lakes and abounding nature found at his family home in Rangeley, Maine. He was a prolific reader often reading the last page first, had a love for travel and always loved a good party. He was a true gentleman, fiercely loyal and a trusted friend who will be dearly missed.

There will be a private family burial on April 16th and a private celebration of his life on June 18th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Save the Bay/https://www.savebay.org/get-involved/donate/ or St. Clare Newport/https://stclarenewport.org/giving-2/

84, passed away peacefully on March 15, at St. Clare Home in Newport, Rhode Island. He was born on May 12, 1937, to John Carter Brown and Eleanor (Thornton Wood) Washburn in Providence, RI. They resided in East Greenwich, RI. Ken went to Moses Brown, the Brooks School (Trustee, ’55), Harvard University (’59) and received an MBA from the Harvard Business School (’63). He was a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve with active duty aboard the USS Galveston from 1959-1961.

He was preceded in death by his beloved Paula Mills Washburn of 34 years in 2017 and his sister Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Abbott Banjak in 1990. Ken is survived by his own and Paula’s 12 children combined: Ellen Washburn Martin (Terry, Jr.) of Larchmont, New York, Kristin Washburn Covert (Michael) of Astoria, Oregon, and E. Paul Grimm II (Stephanie) of Middletown, RI and 9 step-children: William Foxley, late (Susu), Caroline Conneen (Patrick), Anne Foxley, Matthew Foxley, Jennifer Foxley, Susan Foxley (John Smith), Sara Smith, Catherine Cohen (Laurence) and Daniel Foxley (Megan). 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren including: Benjamin Wood, Oliver Ward and Louisa Tingley Martin, Thayne Washburn Covert, Carter and Ellie Grimm.

He worked as the President and Chairman of Union Wadding Company, a textile manufacturing company, in Pawtucket, RI for 41 years. He firmly believed that one should give back to the community and was deeply committed to numerous professional and civic organizations including serving as a Director of the Board of the RI Hospital Trust National Bank, Wardwell Braiding Machine Company, Simon W. Wardwell Foundation, Providence Energy & Gas Companies, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI (26 years) and a former Chairman and Trustee of Bradley Hospital (41 years), Memorial Hospital (40 years) and Trustee of the Estate of Simon Wardwell. His commitment to Wardwell totaled more than 50 years of service never missing a meeting until his health declined this past year.

He enjoyed and was engaged in several local clubs including Spouting Rock Beach Association (Treasurer 26 years), The Clambake Club, New York Yacht Club, Newport Reading Room, Laurel Brook Club, The Hope Club and Agawam Hunt Club (President 2 years).

Ken was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fly fishing at a remote camp in Labrador, Canada annually for 43 years. His lifelong quest was to catch and release the biggest trout. He also appreciated the pristine rivers, lakes and abounding nature found at his family home in Rangeley, Maine. He was a prolific reader often reading the last page first, had a love for travel and always loved a good party. He was a true gentleman, fiercely loyal and a trusted friend who will be dearly missed.

There will be a private family burial on April 16th and a private celebration of his life on June 18th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Save the Bay/https://www.savebay.org/get-involved/donate/ or St. Clare Newport/https://stclarenewport.org/giving-2/