Kenneth E. Mitchell, Sr., age 81, of Orange passed away on Friday, December 5, 2008 in St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven. He was born on March 10, 1927 in Beacon Falls to the late Keith and Lydia Garrison Mitchell. He proudly served as a Merchant Marine and Chief of the Orange Fire Department for many years before retiring, and operated a school bus. An active member of the community, he was past President of the New Haven County Fire Chief Assoc., a member of the CT State Fire Chief Assoc., the Valley Fire Training School, Citizens Engine Co. of Seymour and many civic and youth organizations. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean Villinger Mitchell, son Kenneth E. Mitchell Jr. and Kim of Derby, daughter Pamela Clemens of Orange and her husband Michael, twin brother Keith J. Mitchell of Seymour, grandchildren Kenneth Mitchell III, Kara Mitchell, William Clemens and Amy Clemens and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are Monday, December 8, 2008 from 4 to 8pm at the Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 Broad St., Milford. A funeral service will be held DIRECTLY at Orange Congregational Church, Orange Center Rd., Orange on Tuesday, December 9th at 11am. Interment will follow in Orange Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Orange Volunteer Fire Assoc., P. O. Box 878, Orange, CT 06477 or the American Heart Assoc., 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.