Dec, Kenneth J. Of Methuen, June 25, 2023, at age 86, formerly of Cambridge.
Devoted husband of Catherine U. Dec.
Loving father of Kenneth Dec and his wife Marianne, David Dec and his wife Donna, Karen Peterson and her husband Steven, Susan Bliujus Dec and her wife Debbie, and the late Mark Dec who is survived by his wife Charlene.
Beloved brother of Maureen Curry and her husband Bobby, Robert Dec, and the late Carol Ralston.
Ken is survived by his 10 cherished grandchildren, adored 2 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Stan Daszuta and his wife Peggy, and Paul Daszuta, as well as nieces, nephews, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held at Roger’s Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge St. In Cambridge on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.
Interment will follow at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH at 12:30 pm.
Husband, father, son, teacher, mentor, brother, Dad. Ken was lots of things to lots of people. He always had the heart to live a life of service to others. From gathering scrap metal for change, to working for a cobbler for 2 cents a pair of completed souls, to making jelly donuts at the local bakery-he was always working to bring money home to his family-and the donuts that couldn’t be sold!
He continued that life of service by joining the military. As an Airman First Class he proudly served in Korea as a statistician, and his love for his country remained with him throughout his life with an unwavering belief that he lived in the best country in the world.
To his fellowship of brothers and sisters he met along the way he was committed to walking side by side with those in need in their search for grace and serenity in recovery. He was a father, friend, teacher, and mentor to an entire community who walked side by side with him, saving his life at the same time.
For his boys he was a Scout Leader, playmate, and teacher extraordinaire-leading by example. He showed how to create a career on sheer will and determination. He carved out a career in IT before it was a thing. Then went on to teach all that he knew to generations to come. And always passing down his amazing work ethic for us to learn its’ value.
To his daughters he was a protector, counselor, and confidante, always listening with love and support and without judgement. He taught them what it means to live that life of service to others, to love, support, and catch others when they fall and get them back on their feet. He was the best of best friends to his girls at every twist and turn of their lives.
His grandchildren and great grandchildren could count on him to say that if he knew having grandchildren was so much fun, he would have had them first! He truly loved them so.
And funny man, he could make us all laugh. He taught us about traditions and their importance. They make family feel included, valued, and brought such joy and a sense of being able to depend on something. Walks through Boston at Christmas time to enjoy the lights and window displays, camping every summer, walks to Harvard Square and back, Veteran’s Day annual lunch and nightly phone calls with his oldest daughter.
Daddy daughter movie dates with his youngest and long talks about food and family recipes. Time spent together is what holds true value. That is what we are meant to do. “Just show up and keep showing up. That’s what matters.” He would tell all. That was the human he was and taught us to be.
For all that we know about him this much is true-Catherine, his wife, was his heart and soul. We all got a love of music from him, but Catherine got the singing and the dancing. From singing everyday while he cooked to serenading her with their wedding song on her death bed-Ken knew best how to love her-his Earth Angel. He could twirl her on the dance floor or on the sands of York Beach. She was all he would see. And he lived for such moments.
We will sing again
We will dance again
We will laugh again
And we will love again
We promise you Dad
Maybe not today, but when we watch the ocean tides, the Batman movies, the Christmas lights, or see a Veteran in a restaurant. We will know you are there telling us to live and to relax.