Kenneth E. Scott, 74

Kenneth E. Scott, who was superintendent of the East Hampton Town Parks and Recreation Department from 1990 to 2005 and also had a long naval career, died at home in Springs on Oct. 16 after a series of protracted illnesses. He was 74.

Mr. Scott, an East Hampton native, joined the Navy in 1963 and served on submarines until 1969. He was a member of what was called the Blue Crew, aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, a 381-foot-long nuclear-powered ballistic-missile sub, during the Vietnam War era. It remained underwater for 60 to 90 days on cruises that began at Groton, Conn., and ended at Holy Loch, Scotland, where the men were flown home, to be replaced by the Gold Crew and await their next deployment.

He was then appointed director of morale, welfare, and recreation at the Department of Defense submarine base in Groton, where he worked for 21 years. His onshore responsibilities included running schools for children on the base, overseeing the maintenance of a golf course, and booking entertainment — notably the Beach Boys, twice, and the Charlie Daniels Band.

He was born on May 30, 1944, to Kenneth E. Scott Sr. and the former Ruth Bogue. He grew up in East Hampton and attended high school here, where he was an all-county basketball star and standout baseball player. He was president of his East Hampton High School class for three of his four years there.

He married Denise Morgan on March 15, 1991. 

After Mr. Scott’s return to this area, he became active in American Legion Post 419 in Amagansett, where he was a second vice commander. He liked to travel, watch old Westerns, spend time with family and friends, and cheer on the New York Mets and Giants. Among trips with his wife were R.V. tours of the West and a drive from Niagara Falls down the New England coast, stopping at small towns along the way.

His wife, who survives, said he could be serious, keeping up with the news, but was also fun-loving and had great wit. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Kenneth E. Scott III and Aaron Scott of Groton, and his stepchildren, Kristin Figueroa of Chalfont, Pa., Thomas Walcott of Gilbert, Ariz., Ronald Walcott of Bellair, Md., and Michelle Grant of East Hampton, His siblings, Jacklyn Baker of Florida, Marilyn Tillinghast of East Hampton, and Ace Strong of California, also survive, as do 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His parents and two sisters, Jerrilyn Berkley and Adrienne Bellar, died before him.

An American Legion memorial dinner in his honor was held on Oct. 22. Burial was at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton on Oct. 23, with naval honors, including “Taps” and the presentation of the flag. The Rev. Scot McCachren of the East Hampton Presbyterian Church officiated.

Memorial donations have been suggested to American Legion Post 419, P.O. Box 1343, East Hampton 11937.