Kenneth George Kolok, 83, of Byram, CT passed away on August 13, 2021 following a courageous battle with prostate cancer; his daughter Kerri Brinckerhoff and his longtime girlfriend Carley Tankoos were at his side.
Ken was born April 17, 1938 in Port Chester, New York. He was a proud, lifetime resident of Byram, Connecticut, where he was grateful for the opportunity to maintain connections within the Byram Slovak community.
Ken is survived by his two children, daughter Kerri Brinckerhoff (Chris) and his son, Keith Kolok. Ken’s five grandchildren, his pride and joy, are Sammy Brinckerhoff Ciriello (Chris), Corey Brinckerhoff (Heather), Daniel Brinckerhoff (Jamie), Jesse Brinckerhoff (Anna), and Mackenzie Brinckerhoff. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Kanon (Corey), Lucy and Eve (Jesse), Luna (Daniel) and Tyler (Samanatha).
Ken was a bank executive for most of his career and also worked in the Greenwich Tax Collector’s office, where he could be found meeting old friends and making new friends while behind the counter. He enjoyed entertaining staff and clients alike, singing and dancing in the hallways of Town Hall. He was a lifelong member of the Sokol Club in Byram, a Veteran of the United States Army, served as an Honour Guard and was a member of The Old Guard, 3d Infantry Fife and Drum Corps.
He enjoyed playing the trumpet and guitar, boating, fishing, and line dancing (which is how he and Carley met). He loved entertaining people by playing his guitar and singing. He had a small band while in college at UCONN and loved entertaining the sorority girls outside their windows. His music can still be found and enjoyed on YouTube and iTunes (Kenny Kole and the Huskies). He played for his family and friends, and at the Sokol Club as a member of The Byram Boys Band. His love for entertaining brought joy to everyone he played for, especially to his family at Christmas time where he would bring everyone together to sing Christmas carols. His family was the center of his whole world. “He was the kind of Grandpa who would do his best to be at every event from weddings to graduations to parties, and he made sure he let his grandchildren know how proud he was of them and how much he loved them by showing his support in any way he could” (Sammy Ciriello). “From having the biggest muscles I had ever seen as a kid, to singing Ring of Fire and Margaritaville on Christmas with [his] random Country twang and acoustic [guitar] . . . you’ll be missed. Love you Grandpa, Corey.”
He was the son of Mary and John Kolok and the youngest of three children: John Donald Kolok and Elizabeth “Betty” Kolok predeceased him.
