Kenneth V. Connett, 66, of Cazilhac, France passed away on Tuesday, 11th March 2014, at his home in France. He was born on Saturday 11th October 1947 in Exeter, Devon and was the eldest son of the late Frank and Evelyn Connett.
Kenneth (Ken) was always on the move and started his working life riding a GPO red BSA bantam delivering telegrams. Ken stayed with the GPO and more latterly British Telecom, rising through the organisation planning and managing major communication infrastructure projects, and ultimately organising his own redundancy and a new career.
In 1994, having left British Telecom, Ken founded Fitzroy Morgan Associates and used his leadership and management skills to great effect, helping small businesses in and around the west of England; and for several years was involved with the Princes Trust, mentoring young people looking to start their own businesses. He even found the time in 1996/97 to be the 1,176th Portreeve of Ashburton, the only town in England where the office is still held by act of parliament.
Between 2001 and 2008, Ken worked with his brother David in his business taking operational control of the French and Spanish editions of the Remax trade shows and supporting and expanding the publishing business, where his eye for detail and his operational expertise saw the business grow year after year. This also took him to China and America as the business grew.
His friend, Neal McChristy, said: “He was a person who worked through positive energy. Even when it was tough for Imaging Spectrum magazine, he stayed the course, pumped up everyone and expected positive results. I have never been around a person quite as positive as him. It was sincere enthusiasm. Ken was enthusiastic about everything.
“He did so many benevolent acts that they were even brought to the attention of Bonnie Prince Charles. That wasn’t something he bragged about, as he never bragged. It was an offhand comment actually to bring attention to some of the work Prince Charles does to encourage business in the UK.
“I was privileged to have known Ken. I will miss him, as will others touched by him.”
Ken was a very private person and worked hard helping all around him. He was someone who could make things happen. His greatest pleasure was in seeing others succeed and grow, but he never sought the help of others.
In 2009, Ken settled in Cazilhac, where he planned to take a year out to renovate the farmhouse he had bought. Ever the perfectionist, Ken’s ‘year out’ stretched to five years, and he finally finished the renovations just a few weeks before being taken ill. He never got to enjoy his dream retirement living in the South of France. Sadly his memoirs will remain forever unwritten, but our hearts are full of memories. He will be missed by all his family and friends.
Surviving him are his sons, Gary, Gavin and Matthew and daughter Natasha, sisters Rosemary and Vivienne and brothers David and Alan.