The family of Kenneth A. Meisenhelder announces (the completion of his final lap) his passing on June 27,2023.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on December 17,1942 to the late Kenneth K. and Katherine ( Moffett) Meisenhelder he was raised and educated in the Springfield area. Ken chose a career in the sheet metal industry and was a valued member of the team at Rexnord Corporation for many years. He wed Tanis St. Jean in 1979 and they became a team for life.
Ken had a second love which was grand national racing known as NASCAR. Ken left the Northeast with a dream of racing as a professional on the National NASCAR tour, and he fought to make his dream a reality. He was a talented driver who was in the driver’s seat in the sixties and seventies. Ken scored fifty-one starts on the Grand National Circuit including racing at Daytona, Darlington, Talladega, Bristol, and many other tracks. During that time, he developed relationships with many of the top drivers on the circuit.
Ken then retired from driving but never from his passion for racing. He continued as an early pioneer in videography for the races at Riverside Park, Stafford Motor Speedway, and many other tracks in the northeast. Ken incorporated his driving experience with his command of the camera to continue his full involvement in his chosen sport while providing a product his customers were seeking.
For the past thirty-five years Ken took extraordinary pride in sharing his passion for racing with his son, Glen, as a team. Being with his family was most important to Ken and he looked forward to every opportunity to be with them. His world was not complete without his two faithful companions, Indy, and Darla. His two beautiful Bassett Hounds were family to Ken. He was a spirited man who loved with a passion and gave unselfishly of himself and never lost his love of racing.
Surviving Ken are his devoted wife Tanis, his beloved son Glen (Tiffany) and his loving daughter Carla Verducci (Stephen) and his adored grandchildren Isabella and Zachary. He will be greatly missed by his favorite cousin Bill, small extended family and countless friends and fans.
Visitation with Ken’s family will be held on Thursday July 6, 2023 from 3:30 P.M. until 5 P.M. at the Agawam Funeral Home 184 Main Street in Agawam. A funeral home service for Ken will begin at 5 P.M.
