Sterling Celebrates Resident Ken Day’s 104th Birthday

By Patrick J. McNally, Reporter
Having survived two pandemics, Ken Day was not about to miss his birthday this year. Family, friends, church members, and Sterling residents came together on Sunday, May 16 to celebrate another milestone in the life of an incredible man: Ken Day’s 104th birthday.
Vehicles lined up at The Sterling Senior Center, following each other to Sterling Village. A birthday walk-by was planned, and Ken was able to greet his guests outside. People of all ages were there, saying hello, laughing, and sharing stories with Ken from over the years.
Elaine MacNutt, a longtime friend, would often have lunch with Ken at the SSC. “He was so innovative, so creative,” said Elaine. “I learned a lot and enjoyed our conversations. He’s a great part of Sterling history.”
Nancy Houde referenced one prior interaction. “He said, ‘I remember you. I took your wedding pictures!” He remembered after all these (50) years,” said Nancy.
Born May 18, 1917 in Derby Line, VT, Ken was a baby when the 1918 influenza broke out. At one year old, his father was killed in World War I. He was buried in France.
Uncle Morris and Aunt Myrtle Day played a large role in Ken’s upbringing in Vermont. He was educated in a small, one room schoolhouse. After school, Ken would help make cheese for the family’s creamery business.
The family moved often, wherever business took them. Even so, Ken attended that same one-room schoolhouse from grades one through eight. He entered Dartmouth University years later, focusing on business studies.
According to family lore, while reading “Yankee Magazine” in 1938, Ken saw a job posting for Pinecrest Duck Farm in Sterling, MA. The farm needed help, so Ken packed his bags, headed south, and started a job that would last 40 years. Alongside Douglas Hayes, the owner, and his son Donald, Ken implemented numerous concepts to improve the farm’s overall efficiency. They created an assembly line, which increased shipments, and was ahead of its time.
In 1943, Ken Day married Marie Josephine Bisson. Marie also worked hard, and they shared a love of family. They welcomed five children together, two girls and three boys, and they all worked at the farm over the years. Daughter Carol (Day) and her husband Richard Dalton currently reside in Tennessee. Son Nathan Day lives in Maine. Daughter Rachel (Day) and her husband Dave MacPhee, formerly of Holden, currently reside in South Carolina. Dennis Day (son) and his wife Lisa live here in Sterling, and Richie Day (son) lives in New Hampshire with his wife, Joanna.
Ken had other “hobbies” to keep him occupied. He built three houses in town, managed a busy yarn and bead store with Marie, and ran a successful photography business out of their home.
“He had his own darkroom in the house, with five kids running around,” said Dennis. “I don’t know how they did it.”
Ken ran the farm for 40 years, retiring in 1978 when the business was sold. At its peak, the farm employed 12+ full-time workers and processed more than 100,000 ducks at their plant. The farm, originally located on Albright Road, is the current home of The Sterling Country Club.
After retiring to Big Coppitt Key, FL for 19 years, The Days returned home to Sterling for good. They loved being a part of the Sterling community.
After 68 years of marriage, Marie passed away in 2010. “She was wonderful. Just a sweetheart of a woman,” said her son, Dennis.
Active with First Church, Ken was a Sunday school teacher, and he assisted with the Annual Fair for years. He loves his church family and attended weekly services until the onset of the pandemic.
In his “later” years, 95-year-old Ken enjoyed a special relationship with Anita Livesay, then 86 years young. Together for five years until her passing, they were often seen together in church each Sunday.
Ken is a current member of the Sterling Wii Bowling Team. Led by Linda E. Davis, the group competes in a weekly video game tournament against neighboring Senior Centers.