News  Brockton District Probation to honor Kenneth McClain, Senior Probation Officer in Charge, with memorial space

Brockton Probation Department staff are planning to honor their colleague Kenneth “Kenny” R. McClain, a Senior Probation Officer in Charge at the Brockton District Court, with a dedicated space in the department which will feature photos and other mementos that reflect Mr. McClain’s life and contributions to the courts, his clients, and the community. Mr. McClain passed away on February 8, 2022 at Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, Rhode Island following an illness.

Brockton District Probation employees formed a committee and are planning the space and its unveiling, which is scheduled to take place later this spring. Committee members include Probation Officers Linda Santos, Theresa Fernandes, and Marina Gilraine as well as Associate Probation Officer Krystle Bonin.

At six-foot, five to six inches tall, Mr. McClain, 56, was often referred to as a “gentle giant.” Colleagues fondly remember him as being “humble, patient, kind, and giving.” An Attleboro resident, who formerly resided in Brockton, Mr. McClain was well respected and known for how deeply he cherished his family, his strong rapport with clients, as well as his love of Reggae music and travels to Jamaica.

He served as a Probation Officer at Fall River District Court from 1996 to 1998, before transferring to Dedham District Court where he served for three years. He was appointed as a Probation Officer in Charge at the then Worcester Community Corrections Center, a position he held from 2001-2006. The centers are now referred to as Community Justice Support Centers (CJSC). In 2006, he was appointed Senior Community Corrections Probation Officer (SCCPO) and worked at the Brockton District Court Probation Department.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Flojona Desroches; three daughters—Flojona Fabiola Sanon, Kenyelle Sanon, and Lottie-Marie McClain of Attleboro; his two brothers: Willie McClain of Boston, and Henry McClain, Jr. of Fall River; his mother-in-law: Marie Ange Felisier of Attleboro; as well as extended family members, friends, and colleagues. His mother, Lottie (Stringer) McClain, and brothers: Jerry and Danny McClain— predeceased him.

Born in Boston on August 26, 1965, Mr. McClain was raised and educated in New Bedford where he was a graduate of New Bedford High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Framingham State College where he majored in sociology and minored in Deviance in Social Control.

Mr. McClain’s colleagues shared their fond memories of him.

“His compassion was astounding. He would give you the shirt off his back. Family was first for him. He hurt for people. He felt their pain and struggles,” recalled Linda Santos, Brockton District Probation Officer.

“We build a team atmosphere here at Brockton District Court. Team and family promotes unity which promotes people working well together. Kenny and I first met when we attended Framingham State University together. He was older and I gravitated towards him. He was a basketball player and I was a football player. Kenny was always caring, a gentle giant,” said Michael Branch, Brockton District Court Chief Probation Officer.

“He always had a good disposition and referred to people as ‘cats.' Kenny was always very calm and very positive and always pleasant. He spoke often of his wife and daughters,” said Ron Young, Brockton District Court Probation Officer.

“Everybody knew Kenny. He was a gentle giant at six-foot, five or six. He was always smiling and he loved his daughters, wife, family, and his trips to Jamaica. Kenny was also very knowledgeable in terms of his job and always willing to help out,” said Keison Harry, Brockton District Court Probation Officer.

“Kenny had a great infectious laugh. He enjoyed a good joke and he was a great listener. He cared deeply about his family and clients. Kenny was a class act, a true professional’s professional,” said Pamerson Ifill, Deputy Commissioner-Pretrial Services.

"Kenny was a warm, affable, and compassionate colleague. He was very well-liked by all of the team at the center. I looked forward to dropping in his office to say hello on my weekly visits to Brockton. He knew the value of building a rapport with his clients before it was something that we saw as a best practice. He had a great way of confronting clients without being confrontational. He was a valuable team member and a friend and I will miss him," said Vincent Lorenti, Director of the Office of Community Corrections.

“He was an awesome, caring, and giving guy. His passing is a sad loss for myself, the people he loved, and the entire Trial Court,” said William Gosmon, Plymouth Superior Probation Officer.

“Without fail, Kenny came in with a big smile. He was a man of stature. His warmth and kindness were infectious," said Michelle Phillips, administrative assistant at the Brockton Community Justice Support Center (CJSC).

“He was a supportive colleague and worked well with the clients who often expressed a level of comfortability when working with Kenny. Most of all, Kenny valued family and friendships which we learned through conversation, pictures, and videos he often shared; particularly of his travels to Jamaica. But, most of all, he was such a proud dad that would often share and swap stories with staff. He will be missed by many,” said Debbie Nordin, Adult Educator at the Brockton CJSC.