Kenneth C. Barboza, 80, of O’Brien Rd., Branford, died on Saturday at Connecticut Hospice after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan Barboza of Branford, his son Robert Barboza, and his daughter Linda Barboza, both of Branford. He is also survived by his sister Edith Clark (Wilbur) of South Burlington, Vermont, and Frances Barboza Clark of Highland Park, New Jersey, as well as two grandchildren, Celia Barnett and Xavier Carroll. He also leaves many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters Marion Williams and Beatrice Miller, and his brothers John and Walter Barboza.

He was born September 16, 1933, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a son of the late Lawrence Barboza and Clementina Frances Lopes Barboza Lynch. His family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he received his education at Lincoln High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served four years, during which he trained as an aircraft mechanic and received an honorable discharge in 1955. After his discharge, he attended the Teterboro School of Aeronautics in New Jersey and received his license in aircraft repairs and maintenance. He then moved to New Haven, where he was employed at New Haven Airways Inc. as a service manager from 1959 to 1968. While he was employed there, he earned the highest mechanic rating of the FAA ,which gave him full inspection authorization of aircraft.

Kenneth purchased and reorganized O’Sullivan’s Fuel Oil Inc. in 1968 and provided storage and delivery of oil to commercial, industrial, and residential markets throughout New England. He received the Small Businessman Award for the New England area from the Carter administration when he was invited to the White House during that same time. Kenneth was a pastor steward emeritus for St. Stephen’s Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees and was a key person in the development of St. Stephen’s townhouses and the building of the parsonage. He served on the board of directors of St. Stephen’s townhouses and was property manager as well as superintendent.

Funeral services will be held on April 10 at 11:00 at St. Stephen’s Church on Rogers St. in Branford. Burial will follow at Branford Center Cemetery. Friends may call prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 at the church. The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford, is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit www.wsclancy.com for his online memorial.