Kenneth Vrooman Rice (Boppa) 

Kenneth Vrooman Rice (Boppa) - Brockport, NY - Rochester Cremation

Brockport, NY: June 21, 2021 at age 86. Kenneth is predeceased by parents Clarence and Mildred (Vrooman) Rice and siblings Virginia (Bill) Sherman, Genevieve (Ray) Haringa, C. Howard (Joyce) Rice. He is survived by his wife of 62+ years, Carol (Drake), his sons Craig (Grace), Chris (Linda), and daughters Kendra (Robert) Rice-Greeley, Kerri (Bill) Cybulski, 13 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and loving friends. 

 

In his younger years, Ken was a boy scout and achieved the position of senior patrol leader. He joined the navy and was in active-duty Feb 1956-Apr 1958. The Navy shipped him to New Zealand and the South Pole in Operation Deep Freeze on an exploratory mission.  

 

He held a degree in horticulture, which led to his life-long love of gardening and landscape design. Ken owned and operated Archetique Enterprises, a horticultural supply company in the New York City/New Jersey area, which he retired from to New Bern, North Carolina. 

 

Throughout the years he wore many hats: daring motorboat driver, donut provider, die hard Yankee fan, ever-willing repair man and life-long Campbell’s Pointer. 

 

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 26 at 11am at Christ Community Church, 36 Coleman Creek Road, Brockport, NY 14420.  A graveside memorial service will be held in East Hanover, New Jersey mid to late August. Details to be determined.

22 Condolences

  1. Carolyn Sherman on June 23, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear this sad news! The last of The Rice Family to depart, but now the family is once again reunited.
    My heart goes out to Aunt Carol & to Chris, Craig, Kendra, Kerri & all his grandchildren. May his soul Rest In Peace.🙏💙

    • Susan Bowman on June 23, 2021 at 8:07 pm

      So very sorry Aunt Carol, Craig, Chris, Kendra and Kerri and your families for the loss of Uncle Ken. Thinking of you all at this time and wishing you peace. With Condolences, Susan (Drake) Bowman

      • Kerri Cybulski on June 26, 2021 at 10:18 am

        Thank you so much Susan ❣️

    • Kerri (Rice) Cybulski on June 26, 2021 at 10:16 am

      Thank you so much Carolyn 💗

  2. Gene and Becky Pixler on June 23, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    We are keeping you all in our prayers… we enjoyed visiting with Ken while he was out here ..

  3. Allan and Issy Forbes on June 23, 2021 at 4:10 pm

    We are so sorry to hear the news of Ken’s passing. We have such warm memories of him. We send sympathy and love to Carol and all the family.

  4. Gina Smith on June 23, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    Chris and Linda,
    My deepest condolences to you. May God’s peace surround you all. -Gina Smith

  5. Joanne katz on June 23, 2021 at 5:00 pm

    Chris i have always admired the close bonds your family shared. The love between all of you was evident. That love will remain. Cherish the memories and I hope you find peace in knowing your dad loved and was proud of all of you. Sending love and hugs to you , Linda and the kids.

  6. Angela Zale on June 23, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    Chris and Linda, we are So sorry for your loss. It’s never easy to see someone suffer, but it’s not easy to let them go and say good-bye either. Prayers and comfort to you and your family.
    Lary and Angela Zale

  7. Trish Fezenko on June 23, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    My heart breaks for all of you! What an amazing man! He will be missed but we all know that he is with our good Lord Jesus right now and in no pain. Sending you all lots of love and prayers of comfort through this difficult time.
    All my love, Trish (Ambrosio) Fezenko

  8. Diann Kelly on June 23, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    I am so very sorry for your loss. We had such a great neighborhood. Sending many prayers of comfort and strength to all of you
    Love
    Diann (DeFranca) Kelly

  9. Loretta Knowles on June 23, 2021 at 7:29 pm

    So sorry Carol. My prayers for the family for comfort. We know he has won the battle he fought and is in his eternal home and one day we will all see him again. Will never forget all the good times at Believers Fellowship with you and Ken. Sending hugs and lots of love to you and the family.

  10. Marianna and Ken Sherman on June 23, 2021 at 7:55 pm

    Dear “RICES” We continue to send you our love and prayers. We will miss Ken, our Flushing Presbyterian friend.and our “sort of relative”. We were and are a special group or “young people:”. Now the Rices are all together and they are all on our hearts. With love, Marianna and Ken

  11. Raymond Tamburello on June 23, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    So sorry to hear this news. Oir hearts go out to all the Rice and our Drake Families. It is so hard to face these changes, know we are with you in these difficult times.
    Prayers and love for all.
    He is with our Jesus now.

  12. Mark and Kellie Hregoire on June 23, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    Very sorry for your loss. Alway difficult to see our loved ones suffer, and now matter how much we try to plan for when they leave us ,it never takes away from the hurt when they are gone. Our prayers go out to your entire family. May God bless you with His peace.
    Mark and Kellie Gregoire and family

  13. Jill Manson on June 24, 2021 at 5:31 am

    Kenj- I am sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

  14. Bob and Elaine May on June 24, 2021 at 6:17 am

    Carol, we’re so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. We have a lot of great memories of you both when you lived here in New Bern. He was such a fine man. We love you and miss you. Prayers for you and your family.

  15. Ricky Wylie on June 25, 2021 at 9:56 am

    Sorry for the loss of your Father , Chris . I will be keeping you all in my prayers !

  16. Rob Brown on June 25, 2021 at 10:36 am

    My sincere condolences to the entire rice family. Uncle Ken will be deeply missed. His love for family, friends, and fellowship was an amazing and evident trait that he passed on to his kin. I always loved spending time with Him when we were in the Rice Hut. Accompanying him on trips to the garages on his way to start his next project always lead to great conversations. My love and prayers are with Aunt Carrol, Craig, Chris, Kerry, Kendra and the rest of the Rice family.

  17. Bob Pentland on June 25, 2021 at 3:12 pm

    So sorry for your loss. I had great admiration for Ken as a parent, businessman, parent and Christian. We had many fun times together playing racquetball way back when. I face faith that one day those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ will be reunited with Ken a d other Christian loved ones in Heaven. Deepest condolences to Carol and children. It is always difficult to lose a loved one.

  18. Nancy Tamburello on June 26, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    So sorry for your loss! He leaves a beautiful legacy in you all! Always a smile on his face…may God grant you all peace that passes all understanding! Hugs all around!

  19. Jeff Conn on July 9, 2022 at 10:59 pm

    Sorry to hear this. I worked for Ken back in the 1970s and met his family. Ken was a great guy and my thoughts are with his family.

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