Paul Edward Kent

December 3, 1943 – October 25, 2026

Paul Edward Kent – loving husband, father, grandfather

Cuba – It is with great sorrow and fondest memories that we celebrate the life of Paul Edward Kent, who passed away at home on October 25th, 2026. Paul was born on December 3rd, 1943, to Ronald and Louise (Siffirinn) Kent, and grew up on his parents’ dairy farm outside of Franklinville, NY. He graduated from Hinsdale Central School in 1963 and attended Canton College. 

Paul married Dawn Chere Benham in 1966, and the two began their married lives shortly after in Fort Hood, Texas, where he served his country in the U.S. Army as a Spec 5. After completing his service in 1968, Dawn and Paul eventually settled in Hinsdale, New York, where they started their family together. 

With his lifelong passion for agriculture, Paul returned to the dairy industry as a Dairy Sanitation Specialist. He spent his career helping farmers to improve the quality of their milk production, covering much of the eastern coast. He completed the last 20 plus years of his career working for IBA, where he retired as a district manager. During his career, Paul was awarded the NYS Sanitarian of the Year award, as well as the Dr. Paul B. Brooks Award for his devotion to the cause of progressive sanitation services. 

Paul had a love for horses that he carried throughout his entire life. As a teenager, he was involved in 4H and horse shows, both at the local and state level. Even as he grew older, Paul was rarely without horses in the barn. He shared that love with his daughters, Chere’ and Tara. The family spent many weekends at horse shows, rodeos and barrel races during the summer months. He later enjoyed watching his grandchildren in any activity that they were involved in. Paul went to many sports games, wrestling matches, horse shows and county fairs as a proud grandpa. Paul was a proud member of the Norton Chambers Hinsdale American Legion and a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association. 

Paul is survived by his wife; daughters, Chere’ (Jarratt) Tunstall and Tara Kent; grandchildren, Delanie, Alexis and Rylyn Tunstall and Everett, Kylee and Evan Leonard, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be missed by the loudest Tim Hortons coffee gang in Olean. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Louise Kent; siblings, infant brother, Charles, Bill (Jean) Kent and Jean (Len) Kent Jackson; in-laws Kenneth and Phyllis Benham. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Joyful Rescues or the Small-Town Showdown barrel racing series, run by his granddaughters.  

There will be no funeral service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at Napoli’s Pizza at 671 E. State St., Olean, NY on November 8th, 2026, from 1-4 pm. Everyone is invited.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com