Kenneth Tinsley

Kenneth Tinsley, 76, of Port Jefferson, NY, passed away in Commack, NY of end stage COPD, on April 13th, 2024. 

Ken was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1947 to Leroy and Alice Tinsley, who Ken remembered most for their faith, charity, work ethic, and humor. Ken graduated from Westbury High School in 1966. 

Drafted from Long Island, New York, Ken entered the Army with a background in Laboratory Science. Stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, upon completing basic training, Sgt. Tinsley worked in the hospital Pathology Lab, supervising and training medics to be proficient in all areas of Chemistry, Microbiology, Urinalysis, Hematology, and Blood Bank Operations, before they were deployed to field hospitals overseas. 

After graduating from Howard University in Washington DC as a Physician’s Assistant, Ken was employed by the West Haven VA Medical Center, in West Haven, CT and then transferred to the Northport VA Medical Center, Northport, LI, NY.

Cheryl Tinsley met the love of her life, Kenneth in 1977, at a graduation party given by the Social Work Department at Adelphi University, in Long Island, arranged by mutual friends, Gerald Gibson, and Rogina Williams. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married June 16th, 1979. 

From this union, their children Camila Rivera-Tinsley, Kevin Andrew Blayton, and Kenneth Tinsley, Jr.  and later their spouse’s Martine Alexandra Baptiste-Blayton and Courtney Renee Tinsley could not wait to start families of their own, and their children, Kenneth’s grandchildren meant the world to him.  

Though Kenneth loved drag racing in his younger days, and developed a passion for scouting, photography, woodworking, gardening, and fishing, Kenneth’s favorite pastime and role was that of a grandfather. Ken treasured his time with his grandchildren, Amaya Dorman, Kenneth Tinsley, III ‘Bubby,’ Sabine Edwidge Blayton, Newton George Louis Tinsley, and Remington Rhys Blayton, never failing to play chess, do arts and crafts, make funny faces, joke around, fish, make Christmas lists and visit Santa Claus. 

Ken had a soft spot in his heart for his furry beagle friend, Carter, and treated him like the valued family member he was and remains. 

Ken and his sister Phyllis Taylor were remarkably close throughout their lives. From family get togethers to impromptu phone calls, they were together through it all. 

Ken was enthusiastic about helping others medically, as an Emergency Room Physician’s Assistant and Sickle Cell Counselor, in West Haven VA Medical Center and a Surgical PA at the Northport VA and working for the Veterans Administration for over 37 years. 

Everyone who knew Ken, knew he loved scouting, fishing, photography, CB and Ham Radio operations, and spending time with his grandchildren. 

Ken will always be remembered for his charity and his larger-than-life personality. We will always imagine hearing him say “hobbitty hooobitty” and “hey hey, hey” one more time. We could not have asked for a better son, husband, parent, grandparent, uncle, brother, colleague or friend and will miss Ken every day. Ken’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. 

Ken was preceded in death by Leroy Tinsley (father), Alice Tinsley (mother), Richard Tinsley (brother), Robert Taylor (brother-in-law) and Paul Okrent (best friend); and is survived by Cheryl Tinsley (wife), his three children, two daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, Phyllis Taylor (sister), Andrea Kelly (sister-in-law), Brenda Williams (sister-in-law), Archie Kelly (brother-in-law), Roy Kelly (nephew), Lauren Council (niece), Phylicia Taylor (niece), Robert Taylor (nephew), Richard Taylor (nephew) and Mia Kelly (grandniece). 

There will be a small intimate Homegoing Service to commence on Thursday, April 18th at 11:30 am EST at Calverton National Cemetery. Please arrive at the Bryant Funeral Home for a procession to the cemetery at 10:30. A larger Memorial Service in honor of Kenneth Tinsley, TBA, in the upcoming 6-8 weeks. 

Donations to the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America or Project Healing Waters would be greatly appreciated.