Sidney, New York - SIDNEY - Kenneth Byron Thurston, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026 at the Oxford Veterans Home after a long illness. He was born April 6, 1933, in Guilford, the son of Earl and Mabel (Bidwell) Thurston. He married Ferral Dean on Oct. 17, 1952, in Wells Bridge. They were married for 64 years and lived in the town of Unadilla. She predeceased him on March 26, 2016.

He is survived by his children, Kenneth B. Thurston, Jr., Sanford, Florida,; Lynne Althea Shanks (Daniel), Barefoot Bay, Florida, Steven David Thurston (Donna), Wells Bridge,; and Mary Ellen Harageones (Jim), Unadilla; beloved grandchildren, Alisia and Eric, Benjamin and Kelly, Martin and Sky, Melissa and Shawn, Sheryl and Rich, Abigail and Chris, Natasha, Rachel and Kenneth, Morgan and Geoffrey, David, Jamie and Corey, Jessie and Issac; dear great-grandchildren, Aryanna (Preston), Logan, Julia, Abigail, Grace and Kevin, Roman, Henry, Aiden, Madison, Addie, Katelynn, Jonathan and Adeline; and precious great-great-grandchildren Rosemarie, Luca, Ely, Amelia, Ailey, and Rudy; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Earl; mother, Mabel; brothers, Fredrick Andrew Thurston and Howard F. Thurston; sisters Vera M. Thurston, Dorotha L. Thurston, and Velma E. Thurston. He was also predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Daryl (Jones) Thurston; son Russell Wayne Thurston; daughter-in-law Brenda (Biedekapp) Thurston; and grandson, Aaron Thurston.

Kenneth was a veteran who served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was employed by Unadilla Silo at Unalam, Sidney, for many years. After his retirement in the early 80's, he worked as a maintenance man for the United Methodist Church, Sidney. He did lawn care for many of his neighbors in the area. He proudly drove the tractor for many of the Sidney parades and what he enjoyed most was playing Santa for his grandchildren and many of the children in the local area.

A Celebration of Ken's Life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 25, Memorial Day, at the Elks Lodge, 104 River St. Sidney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delaware Valley Humane Society, 101 Main Street, Sidney, NY 13838 in Ken's name. Online condolences may be made at: www.wmaddenfh.com.