Kenneth Everett Garren, Jr., 92, of Hanson, passed away peacefully at the Sachem Nursing Center in East Bridgewater on Thursday October 18th. He was the beloved husband of 72 years to Margaret Helen (Buchanan) Garren.
He was born in Centralia, Illinois, son of the late Kenneth E. Garren, Sr. and Edna (Seats) Garren.
Ken entered the US Navy in 1943. He achieved the rank of Seaman First Class and served on numerous ships and earned the World War Two Victory Medal, The American Area Medal and the European African Middle East Medal, and was Honorably Discharged in 1947.He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2125 in Bridgewater.
Ken met his loving wife Margaret, while serving in the 16th Fleet in Boston and married by the Justice of the Peace on Beacon St, Boston.
He was employed by Bay State Ice Cream Co, Dana Nash Pumping Service, both in Abington and The Commonwealth of MA Highway Dept, where he retired as Foreman from the Whitman State Highway Barn in 1990.
His lifelong hobby and passion was being an Amateur Radio Operator. His call was WA1DUZ. He was one of the founding fathers of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club. He also belonged to the Civil Defense and relayed messages during times when land lines weren’t working. Over the years he has made hundreds of contracts all over the world including Santa Claus.
In addition to his wife Margaret, he was the loving father of Margaret A. Pratt of Abington, Kathleen Capachione of MS, Diana L. Hunt of Middleborough (formerly of Whitman); loving grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was also the Father of the late Kenneth E. Garren, III.
His services will be held on Monday October 22nd at 11:00AM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St. (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday October 21st from 2-6.