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Kenneth Kinkor Obituary

Kenneth Kinkor has set sail on the bounty main after passing away suddenly on Friday June 7, 2013 (or answered the call from Davey Jones Locker). Ken was born to his proud parents on the 26th of January in the year of 1954. He was preceded in death by both is parents, Norman (1982) and Clementine (2013); his grandparents Joe and Mary Kinkor and Victor and Clara Schmitt; his 3 uncles, Don and Clifford Kinkor and Florian Schmitt. Ken is survived by his best friend and wife of 17 years, Marti Ward. He is also survived by his brothers, Ron, Roger and Randy, his sister, Karen Kay, nephews Michael, Christopher, Mitchel, Mackie and Benjamin as well as numerous 1st cousins. Ken graduated from South Winneshiek Community High School in 1972. He participated in many school clubs, but enjoyed acting in school plays the most. He was a graduate (class of 1976) from Loras College. He also attended Universities of Iowa and Illinois. Ken was a piratetologist/historian. His love of maritime history and the golden age of piracy led him to leave his mid-western home and move to Cape Cod, MA in 1986. There he joined the company of Barry Clifford, who had discovered the wreck of the Whydah, the 1st documented sunken pirate ship off the coast of Cape Cod. Ken spent the rest of his days doing the work that he loved. He made several national television appearances as an expert in his field on programs featured on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, and other networks. He was also the co-author of numerous articles in national publications and important books as well as the historical consultant for producer Gale Anne Hurd. Ken was a writer, a fisherman and a great cook. At the time of his untimely passing he was involved with renowned screen writer, Richard Outten and Mr. Clifford in writing a fictional pirate trilogy in which he was characterized. Mr. Kinkor was also the primary historical consultant for National Geographics traveling exhibit Real Pirates as well as the historian for Cape Cods Whydah Museum and numerous other worldwide Pirate exhibitions. Kens genius is only surpassed by the gentle kindness and selfless devotion he showed to his family and teammates. Words could never describe how much he will be missed. A memorial service will be held at a later date. For online guest book please visit nickersonfunerals.com.

Published by The Cape Codder from Jun. 11 to Jun. 18, 2013.
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I have met Ken on several occasions. 1st of which I found an old bottle as the tide was rushing in at the Cape Cod light house. Ken told me it was from the mid 1800's. It still had the cork and BITTERS in it. Thank You Ken for being approachable. I have cheerished that bottle for over 20years and Ken is part of its history.

Eric Breuer

February 21, 2018

I didn't know Ken passed away until a few moments ago when I discovered it by accident online. Ken was a consultant for my company Maritime Productions when we first met at the Provincetown Museum in 1993. He sent me materials for my shows for many years and was my go to guy for his expertise on Pirates and Maritime history. We were covering pirates in our shows long before Johnny Depp came along! I always considered Ken a very special person and an important source for quality research. I also adored him and his eccentricities. He was very much an individual and a person that stands out as the only self-proclaimed piratologist that truly was authentic and a sweet man. I felt honored that he liked me enough to share his research and be an important part of my company Maritime Productions. I am sad that he is gone but he exemplifies why we need to follow our passion and create our own realities. He certainly did and I was lucky to have crossed paths with him in this life.

Rene Risher-Kelly

October 14, 2014

I had Ken do a pirate talk at the Boston Stock Exchange for our group of investment professionals, it was right when the Whydah Museum was opening in Provincetown, MA and the whole story on Barry Clifford. He was so compassionate and a wonderful storyteller. All enjoyed his presentation and for years many of these business leaders spoke of the unique event and Ken's presentation. He was a true scholar, wonderful human being and enthusiast for sure of pirate history. He shall be missed. Loved his style! Darby Hobbs

Darby Hobbs

May 13, 2014

I am a teacher in Maryland, and after Ken met one of my students at the Whydah Museum, he began corresponding with us annually. He was always gracious with his time, and he fascinated my students with his anecdotes and discoveries. I am so very sorry to read of his passing.

Adam Elliott

May 2, 2014

I only learned of Ken's passing today, March 14, and I feel like my boat's been capsized. I worked with Ken for years, me at a law firm in Minnesota, trying to make lawyers look seaworthy, Ken at the museum trying to toss a net over Barry and Bob Lazier for five seconds, the two of us in the end being successful in taming the furies long enough to put pen to paper occasionally. What a man he was!! Always caring and generous of spirit. Gentle and funny. I can't believe he's gone. Actually I don't. I know he's around here somewhere.

Nancy Stevens

March 15, 2014

Rest in Peace Ken Kinkor !

Janis Packard

October 17, 2013

I just learned of Kens passing from the Loras College Magazine. Ken and I were classmates at Loras and worked together in the summer of 1975. He was a man of wit and humor and often made me laugh. I shall not forget that summer and his friendship. Rest in peace my friend.

Mike Wentzel

October 16, 2013

I used to see Ken come into the Eastham Transfer Station all the time. He drove an old van and always had a pipe and he threw away strange boxes from magicians supply companies. I never said more than hello to him, as I did with countless others, but he was one of the "characters" I'd come to expect every week. It was only after reading his obituary that I found out just who this man really was. With my fascination with all things sail, pirate, and history, there would have been so much I would have loved to talk to him about. If I had only asked. I never really knew him, but Ken will always remind me never to to think twice about striking up conversation. You may be very surprised at who you meet.

Mike Cicale

August 30, 2013

Ken was a gracious colleague and a good scholar. My condolences to his family and friends

Charlie Ewen

July 9, 2013

My family had the pleasure of meeting Ken last summer over several weekends at the Wydah docks. My kids loved hearing Ken talk about the history of pirates. Very nice person and we are sorry for your loss.

Matthew Chalmers

July 2, 2013

I absolutely LOVED Ken's dry wit, and I much appreciated his depth of knowledge as a maritime historian in the two years we worked together for our film QUEST FOR CAPTAIN KIDD. Ken was the real deal.

David Conover

June 24, 2013

Such a shock to hear this sad news, our deepest sympathy to Marti, family and colleagues. We were lucky enough to work with Ken and will always remember him fondly.

Becky and Gareth Jackson-hunt

June 18, 2013

My sincere condolences on your great loss. May you find peace and comfort during this sad time…Psalms 25:16,17

June 17, 2013

Godspeed Ken, we will all miss you as you sail away and join those who you wrote about with great passion, but without you our ship will never be the same.

John de Bry

June 15, 2013

Rare are the men who can live in two disparate centuries at the same time, and yet be equally comfortable in both. Ken was a brilliant historian and a natural talent whose passion for the history and culture of the Pirate age was only matched by his meticulous devotion to learning every relevant scrap of knowledge and folklore associated with it. It came alive for him; it was no dry or dusty chronology of facts, and more remarkable was how much of it he carried around with him, a comprehensive storehouse of knowledge that was all-inclusive; the serious, the funny, the arcane, the apocryphal. He was a unique and individual character; he made the world see him as he chose to be seen at any one time, and cared not a whit what anyone else thought of it. An easygoing and friendly, unassuming guy with a quiet, dry wit, I admired him greatly and lament how the circle of rare people whom we have met who can truly command our respect and even inspire us to imitation seems to grow smaller with each passing year.

Mike Martel

June 13, 2013

My deepest sympathy to your family. Kens knowledge and dedication to his career brought much happiness to those who followed his work. I have vacationed in Wellfleet for years and have followed the Whydah through Kens information since it was located. He touched many people and it was my pleasure to meet him.

Rich Martinelli

June 13, 2013

I worked many years with Ken. What a wonderful man and teacher he was. What a void for the museum. My condolences to Marti, Barry, and his colleagues.

Jamie Demetriou

June 12, 2013

My tribute to a true on-line friend of mine for many years cut short by this loss to all. A forever broad reach to you my friend and teacher. Your passion will always live in your friends on CapeCodTalk,etc.
Your Friend always,
Swampmapleyankee-aka-Billy Adams

Bill Adams

June 12, 2013

Oh Ken, I'm sadden you left so soon. It was such a treat to work with you and meet you in Ptown a few years back. Pretending you were Barry on a phone call was way to funny. Best to your family. Sail on Ken, catch up with you some day.
Ginnie Mayhew, Boston and Brewster MA

June 12, 2013

Marti, I can't tell you how sorry I am. Ken was the epitome of a true gentleman. I have so many great memories of him, but what I will remember most is his laugh and his wicked sense of humor. He was a lovely, lovely man.

Cathrine Macort

June 12, 2013

I had the pleasure of knowing Ken over the last several years on a business level that soon became a friendship. He would visit me once or twice a year at my office in Provincetown. I found him to be extremely interesting as he shared his most recent projects, expeditions and stories. He was a kind and gentle man and loved his work. My deepest sympathy to his wife, family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

Bob Jackson
Seamen's Bank

Robert Jackson

June 12, 2013

Ken always had a smile, joke or play-on-words for me. He was knowledgeable and jumped at the opportunity to research even the simplest piece of history, to get it right. He loved cats, (every pirate ship had a cat or two) - and that's something else he and I had in common. He was a good friend, married to my dear friend Marti, and a pal to my soon to be college-bound grandson, Griffin Hancock. He will be missed!

Nancy Nicol

June 12, 2013

There will never be another Ken. I am so proud and blessed to have worked and laughed with him over so many years.He was a wonderful friend, and a fantastic person to be with. He is truly missed.

Chris Macort

June 11, 2013

Marty,
Barbara and I were so sad to hear of Ken's passing. He was a great friend to us.
May he find that big treasure in the sky.I will be in touch.
Bob and Barbara Jannoni

bob jannoni

June 11, 2013

Our deepeest sympathies on your loss... we are holding all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

Maureen Stadnik

June 11, 2013

I am so sorry that Ken is gone. I never got to meet him personally, but I exchanged many emails and phone calls with him. I wrote two books, House Call to the Past and Port Call to the Future, which he put in the Whydah Museum for sale. His willingness to discuss Black Sam and Maria (my 13th great aunt) as I did my research were priceless to me. I hope to get a tribute to Ken up on my blogsite in the next couple of days. You can see it at janetelainesmith.blogspot.com.
Deepest sympathy to all of you.
Janet Elaine Smith

Janet Elaine Smith

June 10, 2013

To: The Kinkor Family.I am sorry for your lost.May the many memories of your love one bring you comfort in the days ahead.

R. Gaines

June 10, 2013

Marti, and Kens family, I am so sorry for your loss..he is with the Angels!

Janis Packard

June 9, 2013

We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.

The Staff of Nickerson Funeral Home

June 8, 2013

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