Ken and Barbara LaPointe - 2025 Boston Post Cane Recipients

On a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, September 28th, 2025, the people of Troy came together at Kimball Hall to celebrate two very special residents — Ken and Barbara LaPointe. The couple was awarded the Boston Post Cane, a long-standing tradition that honors the oldest residents in town.

The event was hosted by the Troy Historical Society and the TroySelectmen, with many family members, friends, and townspeople in attendance. It was a heartfelt afternoon filled with smiles, stories, and appreciation.

A Special Tradition

The Boston Post Cane is a true piece of New England history. Back in 1909, the Boston Post newspaper gave out canes to hundreds of towns across the region, asking them to be passed on to the oldest male resident. In 1930, the tradition was updated to include women as well.

To be chosen in Troy, a person must be at least 85 years old and have lived in town for 20 years or more. This year, the cane was presented to both Ken and Barbara, which is a rare and special honor.

First Selectman, Richard Thackson III, accompanied by selectmen Custis Hopkins and TJ Chase, had the honor of presenting the cane to Ken and Barbara.  The couple also received framed certificates to mark the occasion. After some photos and cake, the cane was returned to its display case at Kimball Hall, where it can be seen by anyone who visits the Troy Historical Society.

A Lifetime in Troy

Ken LaPointe was born at home, in Troy, and has lived here most of his life, except for four years when he served in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Rapid City, SD. It was during his time in the service that he met Barbara, who grew up in Sturgis, South Dakota. They were married in 1958 and moved back to Troy to raise their family.

Together, Ken and Barbara had seven children. Their first were triplets—Richard, Elizabeth, and Suzanne—who were born prematurely and did not survive. Ten months later, twins Doug and Dave were born, followed by Dennis 14 months later. Two years after that, their daughter Joanne was born; she passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 50.

They now have one granddaughter, four grandsons, and ten great-grandsons.

Memories of the Good Old Days

Ken remembers growing up in Troy as a time full of fun and freedom. He and his friends spent their days outdoors—fishing, skating on the brook, climbing Mt. Monadnock, and playing pickup baseball games in someone’s yard or against neighboring town teams at the Oak Tree Lot. They played basketball upstairs at Town Hall until 1955, when the school gym was built. Life for these friends in Troy was simple and wide open, with just one rule: be home in time for dinner at 5 p.m.

Every Saturday, a group of kids would take the train from Troy to Keene to watch a movie and catch up on the news — long before TVs or cell phones. Ken didn’t even have a TV until his senior year of high school.

Barbara remembers being warmly welcomed by Ken’s parents and the community when she arrived in Troy.   “You knew everyone, and everyone talked face to face,” she said. “It was a great place to raise our kids.”

Life and Work in Troy

Ken worked at several places over the years, including Troy Mills and later C.R. Bard Medical in Fitzwilliam, where he spent 26 years as a manufacturing manager.  Barbara worked at the Mill for 30 years in the sales department and still speaks warmly of the Ripley family, who made the Mill feel like a second home.

Both Ken and Barbara believe the Mill was the heart of the town. When it closed, Troy began to change. They’re hopeful that the ongoing efforts to restore the Mill will help bring back the close-knit feeling the town once had.

They bought their first home for $6,500, and later built a house on land Ken’s father bought for $240 — seven acres with a water line already running through it. That home is still in the family today.

A Life Full of Adventure

Despite a busy family life in town, the LaPointes always made time for fun. For 40 years, they owned a cabin in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, where they enjoyed snowmobiling, four-wheeling and exploring the outdoors. They took several memorable trips, including many to Alaska and a few to the Grand Canyon. One of their favorite adventures was a fishing trip to Alaska, where they brought home an impressive 450 pounds of salmon fillets!

Barbara said she was always happy to go along on their adventures. “It was fun. He never had to twist my arm,” she joked.

Advice from the Heart

When asked what helped him live a long and happy life, Ken didn’t hesitate: “My wife,” he said with a smile. “She’s been the best sport.” The couple, who’ve been married 67 years, say they didn’t always have a lot of money, but they always had a lot of fun — and a strong family.

Barbara added a bit of advice for younger folks: “In today’s world, it’s easy to lose face-to-face connection. Don’t forget how important it is to talk to each other.”

Carrying on a Legacy: Troy Honors the LaPointe Family

When Ken LaPointe was presented with the Boston Post Cane, he said, “It’s hard to express how special it is – it means everything.” That feeling comes not just from the honor itself, but also from his family’s long history in Troy.  In fact, in the 1930s, Ken’s great-grandfather, Louis LaPointe, was also a recipient of the cane, making this moment even more meaningful for the LaPointe family.

The Boston Post Cane isn’t just about age. It’s a way for the town to say thank you for a life well lived and for being part of what makes Troy such a special place. Ken and his wife Barbara both said how honored they are, and how much they love being part of the Troy community.

As the cane was placed back in the display case, the feeling in the room was clear - Troy is lucky to have people like Ken and Barbara LaPointe — and the town is stronger because of families like theirs.