Kenneth Paul Kalva

Kenneth Paul Kalva, 73, of St. Augustine, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on October 7, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. Ken was born on December 31, 1951, to Stanley and Jean Kalwa of Enfield, CT. He graduated from Enfield High School, Fairfield University, and received a PhD in Chiropractic Medicine from the National College of Chiropractic Medicine After college, Ken married his late wife Roberta and together spent 25 years in Enfield, CT, managing Ken’s Chiropractic practice while raising their three children. As a father, he was a true role model to his children. From supporting them with homework, traveling and watching sports games, to family vacations (road trips down south and Disney adventures with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law), and celebrating birthdays. He was involved in every aspect and loved every minute with his family. He instilled his humbleness, gratefulness, and kindness in them, oh and most importantly, how to get the deals at the grocery stores. Short cuts were always long adventures and ice cream was a staple. Basketball played a significant part of his life while in Connecticut. He spent 15 years volunteering as coordinator for the Enfield Youth Basketball League, helping to grow the organization from 80 to nearly 800 youth athletes. He was inducted into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame recently for his contributions to the Enfield High Boys basketball team in 1969. This was truly special to him. His team of brothers grew up playing in the streets and developed not only their basketball skills but respectful men skills. In 2003, Ken moved to Florida where he and Roberta built their first house together while he spent 15 years working for the Florida State Health Department. He nurtured his love of swimming (swimming miles a week), golfing and fishing with family and friends. His love of picking out fruit and bargains to make delicious meals was a true passion. He traded in “Doctor Kalva” title to “Papa” when his beautiful, curious, loving granddaughter was born. He didn't let distance separate him from teaching her things via zoom calls or family Christmas time. His clever corny jokes always got the “Oh Papa” response. In 2015, Ken met Susan Barrow, who he married in 2019. They split their time between their two homes, one in St Augustine, FL and one they built together in the Little Bald Rock Community in the mountains of SC. They loved being together and felt blessed to have each other in their lives. They enjoyed being outdoors, hiking in the mountains, sitting by gorgeous SC waterfalls and shoals, landscaping at their mountain “cabin”, attending concerts, walking the coquina beaches in Marineland in Fl, and taking frequent trips together. Their first trip together was to Cedar Key on the gulf in Florida, where Ken pretended he knew how to kayak!! They later bought a small Boston Whaler and had much fun in the Matanzas River, often being surprised by numerous dolphins. Ken loved spending time with his family, watching sports on TV, swimming, tending to seeds growing into beautiful gardens, volunteering at the Whitney Marine lab in Marineland teaching children about marine life, and eating any baked goods his daughter made. He enjoyed being in the sports environment and loved his retirement job with the Daytona Tortugas. He also loved zooming with his childhood buddies from Enfield, Connecticut. Ken was a devout Catholic and his faith was extremely important to him. He attended church regularly, where he found solace and experienced a deep closeness to God. Ken’s fondest memories include having a loving relationship with his late-wife, Roberta and raising their three children together, building the cabin in the mountains with his wife, Susan and traveling to Switzerland, France and Italy with his son, Nate and his daughter, Jaclyn in 2022. This opened up a whole new world of adventure for Ken and he was even brave enough to venture out alone with Susan in the fall of 2023, when they rented a car and explored Avignon and the small quintessential villages of Provence, France. Ken delighted and reveled in the beauty of the land, but the churches and cathedrals really touched him. Ken will be remembered as a deeply spiritual man, loving husband, father, and loyal friend. He was known for his funny, caring personality, infectious smile, impactful service to others, compassionate and humble spirit, and strong faith in God. Ken’s inner compass always led him to what was right, honest, noble, good and kind. He touched us all with his gentleness, his example and his deep and evergreen relationships with loved ones. A MAN MOST HUMBLE He was always a man most humble, Whom you could count on in difficult times, Until the earth might crumble. As faithfully as the church bell chimes, He quietly shouldered every chore; He never avoided the steepest of climbs. Though weary, he always gave more, Exhibiting character rare; His fealty, always he swore. He always had time to spare, No matter the burdens he bore— He took the time to care. -By Rob Rarus Ken’s life was a blessing to so many. His legacy is all the good he did in the world and all the love he imparted. Helen Keller once wrote, “what we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” For this we are thankful to Ken, who showed his family and friends a life, truly well-lived. He is reunited with his first wife, Roberta and his brother, Richard Kalva. Ken is survived by his wife, Susan Barrow; children-Bret (Denise) Kalva, Jaclyn Kalva, and Nathan Kalva; granddaughter Brooke Kalva; brother Ronald Kalva; and sister-in-law Maureen (Richard) Kalva. An open house will be held on November 21, 2025, from 3-5 pm at the home of Susan and Ken in St. Augustine, FL after a small private service for the immediate family. Secondly, a Celebration of Life will be held in CT in the spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the UF Whitney Marine Lab - https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/025933-k-12-education-endowment/

Kenneth Paul Kalva

December 31, 1951 - October 7, 2025