Kenneth Dearden Sr

Kenneth Walter Dearden, Sr. passed on to eternal rest with his family at his bedside on Tuesday March 7, 2017. He was 89. He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Janet (Osterhout) – his dearest friend, companion and devoted caregiver these past many years. Ken is also survived by his four loving children, Debra and her husband, Raymond Mantyla, of Shrewsbury; Diane and her husband, Andrew Todd, of Barrington, RI; Donna and her husband, David Goldstein, of Amherst, NH; and his son, Kenneth, Jr. of Bronxville, NY and his friend, Loreto Mella. The proud patriarch of a close, ever-expanding family, PopPop will be forever missed and always in the hearts of his eight grandchildren, Heather Hansson (husband, Eric), Matthew Mantyla (wife, Karen), Samantha Goldstein, Drew Todd, Doug Goldstein, Cate Todd, Grace Dearden and Ella Dearden, as well as three great-grandchildren, Madeleine and Charlotte Hansson and Mateo Mantyla. Ken was pre-deceased by his brother, Jim and his sister, Odette (Lamison). Ken was born on December 7, 1927 in Easton, Pennsylvania, son of the late Walter and Stella (Dobney) Dearden. Raised and educated in Easton, he graduated from Easton High School class of 1945 and from Lafayette College in 1950 with a degree in geology. Ken honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Work as a cartographer took him to Washington D.C. where he met Albany, New York native Janet E. Osterhout, his one true love. Soon after they married at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Albany, NY on August 25, 1956. They relocated to Massachusetts where Ken become a partner with Moore Survey and Mapping Corporation in Shrewsbury where he worked for 43 years, and they settled to raise their family. For the past 22 years, he and Jan have lived and enjoyed life at Shrewsbury's Westbrook Crossing community. Family was first and foremost in Ken's life and he enjoyed taking part in family celebrations (of which there are many). He was an avid sports enthusiast. He also enjoyed reading historical non-fiction (especially anything related to the Civil War) and never missed a reading of the daily newspaper. He set a profound example of a life well lived for his family and all who knew him. He will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor, quiet nature and unselfish ways. Family and friends will honor and remember Ken's life by gathering for calling hours at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Friday, March 10th from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., after which a service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Andrew Heisen will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials in his name may be made to Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 34 Prospect Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.