Kenneth Barber Carleton passed away peacefully at his home in Melrose, MA on September 2, 2024 at the age of 95. He was born in Melrose, MA on April 22, 1929 to the late Henry and Dorothy Carleton. Ken was a lifelong resident of Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School, class of 1947 where he played baseball, hockey, and football. One of his highlights was winning the 1946 Red Raiders Class (A) State Football Championship. Ken was also a veteran serving in the US Air Force during the Korean war.

His family established the IGA store on Main Street, Melrose, which later became Carleton's Market. He spent his entire career in the food industry. Ken was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing throughout the Northeast and winter seasons in Florida and Bermuda. He was also a member of the Rowley Country Club for many years. Ken, and his wife of 67 years, Faye, enjoyed numerous trips to Bermuda, Florida, New Hampshire, and Maine.

His loving wife, Caroline Faye (Brackett) Carleton, predeceased him in 2017. He is survived by his children, Scott and his wife, Sue, of Amesbury, MA; Sara and her husband, Bob, of Sunapee, NH; Steven and his wife, Jo-Ann, of Raymond, NH; and Seth of Gloucester, MA. Grandfather of Ashley and her husband, John, Bobrek; Kimberly and her husband, Richard Kmiec; Kerri Carleton; Gregory, Jeffrey, and Bradley D'Alelio; Nicholas Carleton; Lindsey and her husband, Ryan Parisi. He is also survived by his great grandchildren Lucas, Abigail, and Caroline Bobrek and Emily and Jackson Kmiec.

There will be a private family funeral service followed by an interment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ken's name to the Melrose Veterans Fund, 201 West Foster Street; Melrose, MA 02176.