Kenneth O. Colmer, 88, entered into eternal life on May 29, 2016, in Canton, Mass., following a lengthy illness. He joins his beloved Ruth, his wife of 63 years, who had predeceased him less than a year ago, in September 2015.
Kenneth was born on January 20, 1928, in Lynn, Mass., to Gertrude and Kenneth Colmer, who predeceased him. His sister, Barbara, also predeceases him.
Kenneth was a soft-spoken gentleman with kind eyes that sparkled with joy. After serving his country as a U.S. Marine for four years, Kenneth graduated from Salem State College. He went on to receive a master’s degree in education from Bridgewater State. He then began a distinguished career as an English teacher, first, at the Hemingway School in Canton, followed by many years at Braintree Middle School where he served as both the head of the drama department and the coach of Braintree’s baseball and basketball teams.
A lifelong avid reader, he remained a loyal and frequent patron to his nearby library. He always had a book close at hand and he was a lector for many years at St. Gerard Majella Church in his hometown of Canton. Kenneth also kept a vegetable garden that he loved to share with his family and friends.
His passing has left a sorrowful and irreplaceable void in the Colmer family. Kenneth is survived by his children: daughter, Kathleen Berteletti and her husband, Paul, of Broomfield, Colorado; son, Dr. Kenneth and his wife, Dr. Lori Zito Colmer of Yarmouth Port; daughter, Lisa Boyd of Stoughton; and son, Timothy, of Canton. His son, Steven predeceased him in 2011. Kenneth was a loving and beloved grandfather to Julie McDonald and her husband, Chris; Daniel Berteletti and his fiancé, Julia Griffith; Tara DelMonaco and her husband Justin; Naval LTJG Devon Colmer and his siblings Keagan and Sam Colmer. Kenneth was the proud great-grandfather of Charlie and Alexander McDonald. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Joseph McLaughlin, and his wife, Mary, of Hanover, Mass., and many grieving nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington St., Canton, Thursday, from 4 to 8 pm. A funeral mass is planned at St. Gerard Majella Church, in Canton, on Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Weymouth. Donations may be made in his memory to "Our Neighbor's in Need" c/o St. Gerard Majella Church, 1860 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021.