Kenneth (Ken) Ray, 88
We are heartbroken to announce the death of our father, Kenneth Paul Ray. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a brief illness.
At his request, no service will be held.
Kenneth was born on March 28, 1934 to George and Catherine Ray. He graduated from Arlington High School, and went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon his return, he met and married the love of his life Jeannette (Janet). They moved to Burlington where they raised their three children. He began a long career as an engineer for High Voltage Co. before venturing out on his own. He successfully owned and operated Mass-Vac for many years until he retired in 1996 to care for our Mom. He was very proud of the patents he held during that time. After Mom’s death, he moved to Lowell to live with his daughter Sally and her family.
He was very hands-on, and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. He loved boats and restored his first boat, a 25-foot wooden cabin cruiser in the backyard working late into the night under flood lights. He named it “Jeannette” and was so proud of its first launch. He was a licensed captain with the US Coastguard and loved his time on the ocean with his family and friends, whether it was taking out fishing charters, trips to George’s Island or cruising down Boston’s inner harbor. His kids will always remember hot dogs and beans, with fresh bread cooked on the back of the boat. When his boating years came to an end, he and Mom purchased a house in Dennis where they spent every weekend. He loved cooking breakfast and packing up beach lunches when all of his grandchildren were there. He was also an avid fan of the Cape Cod baseball league, attending many games with his grandsons. He spent endless hours watching the boats go in and out of the harbor.
He loved to cook. His idea of chicken soup was a full day in the kitchen making enough for a small army, then packing it up and delivering it to family and friends. He was best known for his chicken soup, clam chowder, beef stew, baked beans, and of course, no family event would be complete without his chicken fingers.
He loved to shop and was always looking out for that special gift for someone he knew. In his later years, he loved to go to flea markets with his daughter Katy as well as putter around her shop, Shindig, helping out where he could.
He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Jeannette (Powers), his brothers John and William, and his granddaughter, Christine.
He is survived by his son Kevin of Yarmouthport, his daughters Sally and her husband Jeffrey Verzone of Lowell, and Katy and her husband Patrick Sheridan of Hampton, NH, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Mary Ray of Yarmouthport, his longtime companion Enrica Casali of Framingham, and the
many other people he touched throughout his life. He will be especially missed by his great granddaughter Zoe who made him smile every day.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the MSPCA or the charity of your choice.