Louis John Ketchen

KETCHEN, Louis John Husband of Genevieve Joanne (Rokicki) Ketchen, of Lynn, MA, died October 1st 2008, at the age of 81 after a brief illness. He was born November 9th 1926 in Plains, PA, the second son of Benjamin and Catherine (Kochanowska) Ketchen. He resided in Lynn, MA since 1930, attended St Michael's Elementary School and proceeded to attend and graduate from Boston Latin in 1943. During WWII, he was in the Merchant Marines on Hospital Liberty Ships to Liverpool England, as well as oil tanker duty in the Pacific. Following this, he was drafted by the US Army as a member of the Occupation Forces of Japan in the Quarter Master Corp in Tokyo Bay earning an honorable discharge. Upon returning to America, he enrolled in Wentworth Institute in Boston under the GI Bill for 2 years accepting a position at GE Riverworks in Lynn, MA. He worked for 36 years in Jet Engine Manufacturing and Testing and Development until his retirement in 1989. He was a lifetime member of PLAV Post #56 Pulaski Post where he served as Sergeant at Arms of the Firing Squad. In addition to his wife Genevieve Joanne Rokicki, he is survived by 4 children: Stanley Thomas and his wife Jacqueline of Crestwood KY; Philip Paul and his wife Sharon of Rutland VT; Joseph and his wife Theresa of Lynn, MA. ; and Valerie Nicole and her husband Rodney Paul of Tyngsboro MA. He was predeceased in death by his son Louis Joseph in 1999 and a brother John Joseph in 2000. He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and seven nieces and nephews and not to forget his favorite Kitty " Bootsie."Service Information: Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his memorial service on Saturday, October 4th at 10AM at the Falowski Funeral Home, 300 SW 6th St., FORT LAUDERDALE, 954-462-4262 At the family's request there are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make contributions to the St Jude Children's Research Hospital.