Mr. Thomas "Kent" Bliss Jr. Obituary (1924

Attleboro - Thomas “Kent” Bliss, Jr., 93, a lifelong resident of Attleboro, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband for 69 years of the late Muriel “Trudie” Bliss of Attleboro. Born on January 7, 1924, in Attleboro, MA, Kent was the son of the late Thomas and Eva Bliss. He graduated from Attleboro High School in 1941. During World War II Kent served in the Naval Air Force from 1943-1945. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1948, he joined the family business, Bliss Bros. Dairy, on Park Street. During the 1960s, Kent expanded the milk and ice cream business to include restaurants. He truly enjoyed the fact that so many young people in Attleboro and the surrounding towns worked as wait and kitchen staff in the restaurants. Kent never tired of being greeted by scores of men and women with stories of their first real job at Bliss Dairy. He was an active tennis player, hiker, and sailor. Kent also loved music and reading, and like many generations of Blisses, he enjoyed working in his vegetable garden. He was past-president and board member of the Attleboro YMCA, the United Way, and the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation. Kent served on the board of directors at the Attleboro Trust Company/Durfee-Attleboro Bank. He also was past-president of the New England Ice Cream Restaurant Association and the Massachusetts Milk Dealers. Kent was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Attleboro and Second Congregational Church. Kent is survived by his four children, Deborah Behler of Amawalk, NY and her companion George Wilkinson, Susan and her husband Stephen Buckley of Medfield, MA, David Bliss and his wife Donna of Attleboro, and Bette and her husband Richard Renoni of Attleboro; seven grandchildren—Sarah and Kyle Rodenhi, Dan Buckley and Laura Luo, and Tim Buckley and Kelsey Ill; Lauren and Andrew St. Martin and Tom and Alison Bliss; David and Christina Renoni and Brian and Beth Renoni; and eight great grandchildren, Cate and Owen Rodenhi; AJ, Noah and Clara Renoni; Campbell and Thomas Bliss; and Piper St. Martin. He was predeceased by his sisters Muriel Wilbur and Elizabeth Garzio. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 50 Park Street, Attleboro. At the conclusion of services, an invitation will be extended to join the family for refreshments in Fellowship Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Attleboro YMCA Best Friends Campaign, 63 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703; and to the Music Fund of Second Congregational Church, 50 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703.