Kenneth James Flood

Loudonville - Kenneth James Flood, 65, passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Born in Albany on June 6, 1961, he was the son of the late Antoinette and Thomas Flood, both children of immigrants. Kenneth, or ‘Ken’ to those who knew him, grew up in Latham, NY, and graduated from Shaker High School. He and his wife, Valerie Flood, ultimately relocated to Castleton-on-Hudson, NY, to raise their children and begin a family.

Kenneth first met the one true love of his life, best friend, and his north star, Valerie Sheffer, in 1993 through mutual friends. Together, after sealing the deal over a famous linguine with clam sauce dinner, and one he raved about until his final day, they built the quintessential life that countless American couples aspire to, and one that was undoubtedly their own. Both worked tirelessly to ensure that their children were afforded the opportunities and life that they themselves did not have.

A Manhattan cocktail, his recliner, a Yankees or Giants game, and the occasional family dinner seemed to check the boxes for him. You’d often hear him say, “There is nothing more important than family.” While we often hear those words uttered, rarely are they lived. Kenneth ingrained that mentality in the way he lived his life. To Ken, his love for his family and those he considered his friends superseded all else.

In that vein, Kenneth was a simple man who lived a simple life. He measured his own success in the happiness of his wife, children, and those closest to him. Nothing brought him more joy than whisking his wife and best friend, Valerie, away on another dream trip, seeing his children excel in school or in life, or watching one of his New York teams cruise to a win. Of course, he’d admit that’s a rare occurrence when it comes to the Giants.

Above that simplicity and all else, he cared deeply and lived his life by example in a way that would put chivalry and perseverance, as currently defined, to shame. From his first job at Krug’s farm stand to years of planning economic development projects with New York State and local governments, he believed that hard work and loyalty led to success and did not hesitate to pass that work ethic down to his children, even when abrasive to hear it. He wasn’t just dependable; he was infallible. He didn’t just show up; he stood with you. When no one else seemed to be in your corner, you could count on Ken. It didn’t matter if it meant just taking his daughter’s dog, Daisy, to the vet, or driving three hours to see his sister. He was always there.

Kenneth was an eternal student of politics, history, philosophy, and economics, loving nothing more than to debate the issues of the day with anyone who would listen and entertain him. Of course, he had no reservations about noting if you were wrong, and his refusal to budge on his opinions earned both scorn and admiration, much to his chagrin.

In his downtime, he enthusiastically enjoyed tending to his garden, trying new recipes alongside his wife (whom he considered the best cook in the world), going for a Sunday drive, planning a trip, having his family under one roof, being inside on a cozy winter or fall day, listening to a good Rolling Stones song, or recounting his college days with his best friend, Don.

Far too many of us spend our lives asking “what could’ve been?” Kenneth Flood never had to ask that question. To him, he had it all. If more of us lived our lives that way, perhaps we’d be much better off, and happier, in the end.

Kenneth’s memory and life are carried on in his loving wife and best friend, Valerie Flood of Loudonville, his children, Alexander Flood of Albany and his husband Zachary, and Jillian Flood of Ballston Lake, his sister, Kathleen Flood of Newburyport, his late brother Thomas Flood and his wife, Colleen Flood, his nephews Lucas and Samuel Flood, his best friend Don and his wife Mary Dishaw and their children, those he played poker with, and his loving cousins. He is predeceased by his loving parents, Thomas and Antoinette Flood, of Latham.

A celebration of his life and memory will be held on Sunday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m. at Ryan’s Wake in Troy, NY. Family and friends are invited to join. Donations in Kenneth’s memory can be made to the Mohawk Hudson Human Society at 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204, or https://www.mohawkhumane.org/.