Kevin R Cox

Florence MA, - Kevin Cox, 75, a lifelong resident and businessman of Florence, passed away peacefully with his beloved wife PamRose and loving stepdaughter Letitia at his side on March 28, 2025.

Kevin was born to Elsa (Boudah) and Henry Cox on September 17, 1949, the youngest of their four sons. He grew up with brothers Gerald, Allen, and Timothy Cox in the family homestead on Willow Street overlooking the Mill River.

Growing up, Kevin loved his brothers, his mother often referring lovingly to them as a rambunctious lot, typical adventurers in the neighborhood. Kevin loved to fish with his dad and brothers. They had several fly-in trips to Northern Ontario, Canada, to catch the “BIG” ones. Kevin was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol and loved planes and automobiles. As a boy he was very helpful to his mother, grandmother and father and pitched in with the chores of family life. A natural merchant, Kevin, together with his brothers, sold vegetables his family grew in the neighborhood.

Kevin graduated from Northampton High (class of 1967) and Holyoke Community College (class of 1969). While in high school, starting in 1965 he worked for Dave West at GO West Clothing. He purchased the business and building in 1986, rebranding it as K. Clothes and operating 3 N. Main Street SRO (known as the West Block). He was well known in Florence for providing housing to veterans and persons with housing crises, in the upper floors of the building. When he retired in 2003, he sold the building to the Valley CDC, which took it into the next stages fostering the same legacy and support for the community.

After retirement, Kevin found a second career with American Pest Control and with Mill River Pest. He thrived in his new career, and good friends called him “Mr. Antman” or “Mr. Miceman,” depending on the season. Kevin loved to fix things. Quite often his talents would present opportunities for him to support customers and friends with his innate ability to fix, build, and rebuild just about anything.

Kevin loved his home and neighborhood. After his Gramma Boudah passed, he purchased her home, which was next to that of his parents. He cleared the land and lovingly rebuilt the house with his bare hands from the studs in and out. Later, again together with his wife he added on to the home and the landscape the property to make it a peaceful place to live.

Kevin was an avid car enthusiast, owning over fifty vehicles in his lifetime. He loved to tinker with the many antique cars he would buy, and off he would go on weekends to race with other members of the Vintage Sports Car Club of America. His prized and beloved MG brought him joy and trophies.

Kevin was also inspired to travel to destinations during the winter, on vacations that he would award to himself each year. On such a vacation in 1987, he began his North American Love Story about a guy from the USA who goes to Mexico on vacation and meets a Canadian girl in the resort, and they become best friends and eventually marry in 2001.

Kevin had a warm and kind smile. He loved to read, and some of his favorite authors were Steven King, Lee Childs and Clive Cussler. He also enjoyed comics and historic stories, and he had a mind for trivia and knowledge. He never missed the Daily Hampshire Gazette and crossword as part of his morning ritual. Over the years he belonged to many local and social clubs. He enjoyed playing Pitch, and during the 70’s was quite the disco aficionado….

Kevin is survived by his soulmate, PamRose Eden-Cox, and stepdaughters Nichon Miller (Steven) and Letitia Ward. Beloved Papa to Graham, Dean, Eowyn, and Arlen. Brothers Gerald Cox (Shirley) and Timothy Cox; good friend Walter Sobzak; fathers-in-law Lowyn Eden and Thomas Scissons, plus Dave Ward, pets Blueberry and Sunberry, his many brothers-and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, wonderful neighbors and great customers.

He was predeceased by his parents, Elsa and Henry Cox, brother Allen Cox, stepson Derek Ward, sister-in-law Alana Cox, mothers-in-law Margaret Eden and Gertrude Scissons, good friend Michael Bachand, pets Mishka and Azlan, and many relatives, friends and customers who went before him.

There will be a Celebration of life, music and luncheon at the Florence Civic Center, 90 Park Street, Florence, Ma from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. welcoming friends and family.