AUGUSTA - Kenneth C. Ware, 72, of Augusta, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, at MaineGeneral Medical Center surrounded by his family, after a long and courageous battle with leukemia. He was born in Livermore on Nov. 14, 1936, the son of Lee T. Sr. and Valerie (Soper) Ware. The Wares moved to Augusta when Ken was 6 and he attended school in Augusta, graduating from Cony High School in 1956. Ken served in the Maine Army National Guard for 32 years. He was employed at Augusta Supply and Plumbing for 25 years and South Parish Congregational Church for another 25 years. He also worked at St. Marks Home for 10 years and was part owner of Central Maine Pyrotechnics, where he enjoyed performing the many fireworks shows throughout the year. Ken coached Farm League, Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball for many years. He was on the Board of Trustees at South Parish Congregational Church and worked with the Goofy Gourmets, putting on dinners at the church. He enjoyed wood working, particularly making projects for the men's table at the church's annual Holly Mart. He was a member of Bethlehem Lodge, A.F. & A.M. and the Board of Trustees at Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. In recent years he enjoyed traveling to watch his granddaughter's softball and field hockey games around the state. Kenny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and overall caring person. His warm heart and smile will always be remembered by those lives he touched. Ken was predeceased by his father; his mother; his son, Stephen S. Ware; his brother, Lloyd Ware, and his sister, Annie E. Ware. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Synthia (Rollins) Ware; his son, Kevin Ware and his wife, Stephanie, of Holden; his brother, Lee T. Ware Jr. and his wife, Elsie, of Augusta; his sister, Glenys Berry, of Skowhegan; his mother-in-law, Lillian M. Rollins of Pittston; his brother-in-law, Robert C. Rollins, of Windsor; his granddaughter, Kayla Ware, of Holden; the special girls in his life, Jessica, Ashley, and Alyssa and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Relatives and friends may visit 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A celebration of Ken's life will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at South Parish Congregational Church. Burial will follow at the old Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive in Augusta. Ken's family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to the staff at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care and the MaineGeneral Medical Center Oncology Unit for their loving and compassionate care during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care c/o MaineGeneral Health Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903, or to South Parish Congregational Church, Debt Retirement Fund, 9 Church St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneral homes.com. 6917668