Michael Alexander Kent of Southampton dies at 81

Michael Alexander Kent

Michael Alexander Kent died on June 25 at his home in Southampton Village. He was 81.

Born in 1928 in Berlin, Germany, he was the only child of Lenard Oscar Kent and Kitty Labouchere. He spent his childhood in Monaco and emigrated with his parents to New York in 1940 before moving with them to Miami, Florida. He graduated from Miami Senior High in 1945 and went on to graduate from Georgia Military Academy and Springhill College before serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

In 1948, he met Elizabeth “Betty” Johnson at a church social and in 1952 after being offered a job to teach English and manage the Catholic Maritime Club in Mobile, Alabama, he asked for her hand in marriage. The couple moved to Mobile where they were married in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on June 14, 1952.

In 1955, the couple returned to Miami, where Mr. Kent began a long career in sales and marketing: first with the Yellow Pages in South Florida and then for various radio stations throughout the region. With an eye to moving north to a small town, Mrs. Kent sent his resume to numerous radio stations in the north and in 1980 he was hired to manage Southampton’s WSBH, later known as WHFM. After 10 years at the radio station, he left and founded the Peconic Telbook, which he later sold to his business partner, but continued to work for until his death.

A faithful member of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton, he served on the Parish Council for more than 15 years and as a lector for almost 30 years. He also helped invigorate a dormant Knights of Columbus Council.

Through his sales work for the radio station and Telbook, he became involved in the Riverhead business district and served for more than 16 years as a director and president of the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce—he was named Riverhead’s Business Person of the Year in 1989.

Mr. Kent was active in many organizations throughout the East End. He had nearly 30 years of perfect attendance at the Southampton Rotary Club, served on numerous committees for the Parrish Art Museum, was on the advisory board of the Have a Heart Community Trust, and was a member of Good Fellows of Suffolk County.

In 1992, he was appointed by then Southampton Town Supervisor Fred W. Thiele Jr. to a Citizens Advisory Committee to negotiate a new contract with Cablevision. His negotiations resulted in the establishment of Cablevision Channel 22, the Education and Government channel. Mr. Kent also served on the Southampton Village Ethics Board from 2005 until his death.

Beloved as a husband, father and friend, as family members recalled, he could often be found telling stories and jokes or giving advice at his favorite place to pass the time: The Golden Pear in Southampton.

Noting that he will be remembered fondly for all of his great accomplishments, survivors said the thing that he cherished the most was his family. They added that the love, pride, and dedication he had for his wife, eight children, four daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, and 11 grandchildren were immeasurable and will live on in their hearts forever.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Kent of Southampton; four daughters, Margaret and her husband Chris DeCristofaro of Southampton, Jennifer and her husband Luis Duque of Southampton, Barbara and her husband Michael Ritter of Texas, and Kitty Kent of South Carolina; four sons and their wives, Philip and Jill Kent of Cutchogue, Christopher and Catherine Kent of Baiting Hollow, Peter and Rosemary Kent of South Carolina, and Mark and Anne Kent of Wisconsin; six granddaughters, Sarah Kent, Emma Kent, Amanda Kent, Madison Kent, Caroline Kent, and Bella Duque; and five grandsons, Travis Kent, Matthew Kent, Daniel Kent, Max Kent and Brendan Kent.

The family received visitors on June 29 at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral mass was celebrated on June 30 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton; interment followed in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 168 Hill Street, Southampton, 11968 would be appreciated by the family.