Kenneth John Gadbow Jr., 79, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 17, after enjoying a particularly delicious piece of cake — a fitting farewell for a man who found great joy in simple pleasures, family traditions, desserts, and the people he loved.

Ken was a devoted Christian who tried throughout his life to live by the Golden Rule and the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Canandaigua, where he and his wife, Nancy, participated in Bible study and were involved in a jail ministry that meant a great deal to him and of which he was especially proud.

Ken loved Canandaigua and was deeply involved in the community. He owned and operated a local insurance business for many years, later working alongside his stepdaughter Tricia. He was also a longtime member of Canandaigua Rotary and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Raised in Whitesboro by his loving parents, Ken and Anna, Ken attended high school there before continuing on to the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he studied English, worked as a dorm director, and began building a life centered around family, work, humor, faith, and showing up for people.

After briefly teaching high school, Ken earned a master’s degree and began a long career in insurance. He started humbly, selling policies for Allstate from a booth inside a Sears store at the mall. True to character, he once declined to work with a potential client for swearing in front of his children.

Ken was passionate about many things: golf, flowers, trees, animals, Syracuse basketball, the Yankees. His kids grew up with him yelling at the television. For a time, he made homemade wine, which his family lovingly pretended was drinkable, just as he had once done for his own father. At one point, the Gadbow household included four cats, all of whom had been abandoned by his children when they left for college.

He could also become spectacularly frustrated, especially with bad drivers, telephones, computers, or pretty much any form of technology placed in front of him.

Ken loved his children fiercely. When they were young, he wrote them letters and poetry and made recordings for them, small treasures his family holds dear, and lasting reminders of his creativity and humor.

He adored his grandchildren. He once drove all the way to North Carolina to watch his grandsons play together in a high school soccer game, then turned around and drove home. When visiting his son’s children in Oregon, he bought so much chocolate for them that the candy shop gave him special bags just to carry it all home.

Ken also had an adventurous spirit. He once set a goal of climbing every peak in the Adirondacks. He did not finish them all, but he made it to the top of several. His family likes to imagine him still hiking there now — moving steadily upward, surrounded by trees, mountains, and peace.

Ken is survived by his wife, Dr. Nancy Gadbow; his children, Carol, Tricia, Jenny, Krissy, and Kenny; his daughter-in-law Jen; his grandchildren, Ben, Shawn, Ryan, Zoe, and Augie; and his siblings, Michele, Bill, Mary, Jim, David, and Celeste. He was predeceased by his parents, Ken and Anna Gadbow.

Those who knew Ken will remember his loyalty, humor, stubbornness, faith, and the quiet but persistent way he tried to do right by the people around him. He was a deeply loving man. He will be greatly missed.

Friends may call Thursday, May 21, from 5-7 PM at Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. 190 Buffalo St. Canandaigua. An 11 AM memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Canandaigua 100 N. Main St. Canandaigua.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Osborne Association. Osborne serves individuals, families, and communities impacted by the criminal legal system — at court, in jails and prisons, at community sites, and through housing programs. Learn more about them here: https://www.osborneny.org/

To share a memory or express condolences online, please visit www.fullerfh.com