Fanwood Dedicates Tree and Plaque to Memorialize Beloved Employee

(above) Blom extended family

Fanwood Dedicates Tree and Plaque to Ken Blom

Borough of Fanwood

Fanwood’s Mayor, administrators, Council members, Department of Public Works employees, first responders and friends and family of late DPW employee Ken Blom were on hand for today’s dedication of a tree in Ken’s name on the front lawn of Borough Hall. 

The tree and an accompanying granite plaque inscribed in his honor will provide a lasting memory of the town’s beloved employee who died suddenly in April. The ceremony was attended by Ken’s entire family and many friends and coworkers.

Mayor Colleen Mahr spoke of Ken’s impact on the town as not only a great worker, but a caring individual, adding he touched many lives in his 21 years with the Borough. Clint Dicksen, Public Works Director, and John Piccola, Public Works Foreman, related stories about Ken’s legendary work ethic.

In attendance were Ken’s wife Lisa, daughters Rachel and Kelly, granddaughter Anastasia and father Al. Many other family members and friends were in attendance along with Council members Francine Glaser, Kathy Mitchell and Trisha Walsh.

The Green Mountain Sugar Maple Tree was selected by the Fanwood Shade Tree Commission whose chairman, Steve Falco, was in attendance. The granite plaque was made possible by donations from borough employees and mounted on stone by DPW employees. Behind the tree sat the DPW’s bucket truck, Ken’s favorite piece of equipment which he used to trim trees and provide a show-and-tell at the annual Arbor Day observance.

Short video: https://youtu.be/sB3NhIpydFU

(above) Ken Blom in bucket truck in 2017
(above) Attendees included family, DPW employees and Fanwood Borough officials and staff.
(above) Ken Blom’s granddaughter raises the cover on the plaque.