Needham: Attorney H. Kenneth Fish, 88, died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 5, 2012.
Ken was born in 1923 in Montgomery, MA on May 2, 1923, the son of the late James and Blanche (LaFerriere) Fish.
He was married to the love of his life, Imogene (Opton) Fish of Needham, formerly of Weston, for 53 years. He is also survived by his daughters, Andrea Fish and her husband Dr. Stephen Roth and their children Amalia and Julianna Roth all of Palo Alto, CA; Victoria Fish and her husband Dr. Hugh Huizenga and their children Andrew, Noah and Peter of Norwich, VT, and Caroline Fish and her husband Rachid Hankour and their children Zakia, Nadir and Kamil all of Harvard, MA. Brother of Lois Mulcahy and her husband David of Newtown, PA.
Ken spent his formative years in Trenton, NJ. He received his BA from Rutgers University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1950. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army in the European Theatre. Ken had a long and distinguished career as a corporate attorney with Foley Hoag in Boston until his retirement.
Ken and Imogene resided in Weston for 49 years until moving to North Hill in Needham in 2009. While in Weston, Ken was a force in Democratic politics and was a passionate advocate for civil rights and affordable housing. He and his wife were founders of the Roxbury-Weston Programs and the Weston Metco Scholarship program. He was founder and chair of Weston Affordable Housing and moderated the town caucus for years. Until the end, he was a strong believer and supporter of providing and finding resources for those who were less fortunate. His friendships crossed all boundaries; Ken opened his heart and his home to people of all ages and all walks of life. Just one example was his friendship and mentorship of a prisoner whom he met through the Partakers Program. “He was like a father to me,” this prisoner once wrote. Many could echo that sentiment.
Ken was devoted to friends and family. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Particularly cherished were family times spent at their home in the White Mountains. Although not raised as a skier, he pursued it for Imogene, who was a member of the 1952 US Olympic Alpine Ski team. His sense of humor, commitment to fairness, and his ability to find joy and purpose in every day was an inspiration to all. He will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, January 20th at 10:30 a.m. at the First Parish Church in Weston, 349 Boston Post Road.
Interment of his ashes will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests gifts in Ken’s memory be sent to the Weston Metco Scholarship Fund, 49 Bay State Road, Weston, MA 02493, the First Parish Church of Weston, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of John C. Bryant Funeral Home in Wayland.
For on-line condolences please visit www.johncbyrantfuneralhome.com