Kenneth Robert Epstein passed peacefully at home with his family, Saturday, March 8th at home in Hudson, Florida. Kenny is survived by his partner and daughter, Jill Marie Epstein and Ann Marie Epstein-Goins with her husband, Matthew Levi Goins.  He is also survived by his sisters; Carol Ann Babenzien and Judy Ann Walker, and their children; Randy Fraser, John Walker, Taylor Walker-Sinning, and Austin Walker.  He is also survived by his brother-in-laws; Bruce Babenzien and James Teer. And, he is survived by numerous cousins from growing up near family in New York.

Ken was born in the Bronx Borough of New York City, on July 1, 1946.  His mother was Lilian Sally Allega of Italian heritage, as her parents had been immigrants from the Abruzzo region of Italy.  Ken’s father was Robert Epstein, born from Russian immigrants, as a Jewish family.. Robert and Lillian eloped and married young during WWII, and Kenny was their second child, after Carol.  She was born in Biloxi, Mississippi where Epi was stationed for several years after they married.  Their elopement was exciting, and then finally to return several years later to the Bronx with a child and another on the way was grounding.  The war was over, and they could once again be near their large families; sisters, brothers, and spouses. At that time, Long Island was developing with much residential building activity.  With time, and savings, Lil and Robert purchased land and had a house built in a new development in Albertson and raised Carol, Ken, and Judy.  

Ken attended and graduated from Mineola High School. He had grown up playing baseball and had gained the attention of the New York Yankees through high school and into college where he attended New York Tech University, studying architecture alongside his athletic endeavors.  Ken was invited to a try-out in the original Yankee Stadium, his invitation letter being dated June 30, 1964. He also played for the San Francisco Giants scouting team. 

It must have become evident that as American involvement in the VietNam War was unfurling, Ken’s potential involvement at the age of 21-22 seemed imminent.  Kenny joined the National Guard and was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training, and back to New York for a three year period of service.  With an Honorable Discharge, Ken moved back into civilian life, but his professional ball chances were changed. So, he finished his thesis project at the Department of Architecture at New York Tech, and moved into the profession of architecture and building construction, also doing related cost estimating.

In 1983, Ken moved to Alexandria, Virginia from Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y.  A close friend and colleague had decided to move to the D.C area to develop some residential subdivisions along the 395 corridor into the City. The tract was less than 3 miles from the Pentagon, and would be a great new start and project to work with his friend, Scott Herrick, and develop a residential subdivision “Landmark Mews”. Ken built his career-identity as Vice President of Landmark Communities, and worked with Scott on many significant projects for 10 years.

In 1989, Ken met his wife Jill in an architect’s office located in McClean, Virginia. They worked together on plan revisions for a different residential subdivision located in the Metro DC area, and they dated until 1993, when Jill returned to graduate school, and Ken began his design/build firm, Saxon Builders, LLC., located in Annandale, VA and Fairfax, VA.  Seemingly on separate paths, after some years, they began dating again, there came a proposal and then they married at Dumbarton House, Georgetown, D.C. on August 5, 2000.  

Residing in Alexandria, Virginia, Ken and Jill welcomed their daughter Ann Marie on January 26, 2001. Annie is now married to Matthew Levi Goins, on September 30, 2023.  Life became very full and productive for the family and there was just fun and happiness with each year that Annie grew attending public school, Jill teaching school in Oakton, VA, and Ken renovating or building new homes under contract. He adored home life, watching baseball, working in the garden, eating delicious Italian food, traveling with Jill and Annie, and just talking with neighbors.  Over the years, he and Jill built a beautiful, spacious home with a backyard lagoon set amidst tall, Virginia Oak trees. 

Ken discovered he had a throat tumor in late 2011, and had a tremendous medical intervention to remove it, lymph nodes, and also undergo radiation with concurrent chemotherapy.  The years that followed Ken’s pathway into remission ushered in breakdowns that couldn’t have been anticipated, but in the actual experience were bravely met by Ken at each turn. 

He lived by this, “Quitting is never an option.”  He continued to strive for life, for his family, and his ability to watch the Yankees play each season, for another 14 years.  He had loved building houses or additions for his clients, as well as to work on his own home and yard.  He found a lot of joy in life especially when he regained it back for a period.  So, Kenny was happy and he had a perfect life with all he could have wished for.  Cancer just got in the way and changed the game plan significantly.  We were all just so lucky to have had him in our lives through it all, and now he’s in eternal peace, God bless his sweet soul. Rest in peace, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, friend.