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KENNETH GUSCOTT Obituary
Leader, Real
Estate Developer, Husband and Father of Five Died tragically with his father-in-law LeRoy Whitmore on March 6th, 2017, in Milton, Massachusetts, at the age of 91.
Mr. Guscott is survived by his wife Valerie Whitmore Guscott of Milton, MA; his daughter Reverend Carolyn D. Hutchinson of Temple Hills, MD; his daughter Lisa J. Guscott of Mattapan, MA; his daughters Randi L. Guscott and Charlie R. Guscott of Milton, MA; his son Kenneth B. Guscott of Milton, MA; his brother Cecil H. Guscott of Boston, MA; his sister Christel Watson of Orlando, FL; as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank Guscott and Rubina Fields Guscott; his brothers Charles Guscott, George R. Guscott, and Norman C. Guscott; and former wife Ruth Hamner Guscott.
Mr. Guscott was born on July 29th, 1925 in Roxbury, MA to Frank Guscott and Rubina Fields Guscott, Jamaican immigrants who met and started a family here in America. When Mr. Guscott was 17, he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces and served in World War II. He graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy in 1954 with a degree in marine engineering and went on to graduate from the Bettis Reactor Engineering School with a degree in nuclear engineering. After moving back to Roxbury, Mr. Guscott served as the president of the Greater Boston NAACP at the height of the modern day civil rights movement. He was a pivotal figure in school desegregation and spent his life supporting minority-owned businesses. He also served as the Honorary Consul to Jamaica from Massachusetts for 18 years. In 1969, he founded Long Bay Management Co. with his brothers Cecil and George. In 2003, he developed the State Street Financial Center, the largest American office tower financed and planned by minority investors. His visionary effort for a new 25-story commercial and residential building in Dudley Station continues today.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, March 16th, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at William E. Reed Auditorium-Prince Hall (24 Washington St, Dorchester, MA). A funeral is scheduled for Friday, March 17th, 11:00 AM at Morning Star Baptist Church (1257 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan, MA). All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mr. Guscott's life. Flowers and condolences may be sent either to Morning Star Baptist Church or Davis Funeral Home (89 Walnut Ave, Roxbury, MA). You are encouraged to make donations in Mr. Guscott's memory to the Massachusetts Pre-Engineering Program, which provides education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to children of color (masspep.org/donate).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for KENNETH GUSCOTT
Denise Barnes
March 5, 2022
Uncle Dunny, gone but not forgotten. Thanks for setting that blazing fire under my behind to go back to school. Red Hot!!! I am doing it, it's taking me a little while. I am almost there!! I can see the light!! I believe I can fly, spread my wings and fly away!!!
Henry Guscott Jr.
March 16, 2019
Uncle Dunny I sadly will miss you and I know since my grandpa my papa who was Cecil who was your brother and best friend pass just in August will be there in heaven with you and the rest of the family in heaven including mother, Uncle Charlie who died in WW2, Uncle Norman,and uncle George,and Aunt Chris. I will deeply miss you and my grandpa but in this time of season we will all remember the good times and the good remembies we had with you and we miss you but we will remember you always. God bless all of the rest of the Guscott family love Henry Jr.
Nangie Williams
Vanessa (Nangie) Williams
March 6, 2019
Kenneth Guscott! a proud Jamaican! A true Raceman! Son of the soil. You may have gone on but your memories and rich legacy lives on and on and on..... Every time I drive through Grove Hall, I'm reminded of you and your invaluable contributions to our community. Words cannot express how much you are missed. I hope I live long enough to see someone try to walk in your shoes. God bless your family
Victor Gathers
March 5, 2019
Mr. Guscott was, is and will forever be an inspiration to my continuing cultural, civic, political and business development. Although, I am 68 years of age, I recently received my doctorate in Educational Leadership, and credit Mr. Guscott's influence on me as a young man to have an attitude of excellence wrapped in on-going progress. Mr. Guscott introduced me to people, places and ideas that even to this date have not been surpassed. Guscott Associates @ the Prudential Center was a training center for me as I entered the World of Work. Along with Mr. George Guiscott, and Mr. John Bynoe, I was able to witness Black men command respect and operate with dignity. So when I returned home to Brooklyn, NY., I was never hesitant to demand what was in"the best interests of my self and those which I represented." In closing, I say to Mr. Guscott, and the Guscott family " be ye @ rest, you have labored in the vineyard and the results of your labor are plentiful and everlasting". Thank you, so much.
Eleanor White
March 5, 2019
Two years after Ken Guscott's passing, he still serves as an inspiration to so many. Just today, his name came up in connection with his devotion to his family and community. Ken, we miss you!
LaVerne Freeman
January 4, 2019
Ken, you are missed every day you were a wonderful person and a great human being.
LaVerne Freeman
March 28, 2017
Milton Academy Softball would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Guscott family, particularly to our beloved teammate and friend Charlie Rose. We are so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Know that MASB is here if you need us and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandra Garrett-Watson
March 20, 2017
To Valerie and the Guscott Family,
I know that words cannot describe this grief. My heart aches for you. Don't be afraid to let others hold you up during this time. Our own family history has taught us that you are stronger than you know.
Our condolences and continual prayers.
Your Cousin Sandy and Family
Henry Guscott Jr.
March 19, 2017
Uncle Dunny Rip.
Henry Guscott Jr.
March 19, 2017
Some Facts About Uncle Dunny
Uncle Dunny was known as Mr. Dudley Square.
Uncle Dunny was a Civil Rights Leader.
Uncle Dunny was was my Pappa's best friend and brother.
Uncle Dunny called my Pappa every day.
They both cheered up each other after loosing three other brothers.
My Pappa was really sad at my Uncle George's funeral and Uncle Dunny and Uncle Norman cheered up my Pappa. Uncle Dunny we will you so much. Please say hello to the other brothers and Mother. Uncle Dunny Rip!!!
Dr. Omar REID
March 17, 2017
Mr. Guscott was a king. Blessing and prayers to his family.
Dr. Omar Reid
Dr. Omar REID
March 17, 2017
Mr. Guscott was a king. Blessing and prayers to his family.
Dr. Omar Reid
Maria Manning
March 17, 2017
Thinking of all of you during this time with great appreciation of all the gifts and love Ken Guscott has given to everyone and everything he touched.
With prayer and love,
Maria
Barbara Ragland Rosa
March 17, 2017
Mr. Guscott was a positive parent and male role model. I met him at Boston Technical High School when Lisa and I went there (Class of 1982). Mr. Guscott was the only parent that showed up for a small school event I was involved in. He chatted up and cheered on each teen that was there about leadership. A history teacher told me who Mr. Guscott was and what he was about. I became star-struck; he was a live Black History lesson and he spoke to me, shook my hand, parted some wisdom. To this day, every time I see Lisa, I think about that moment, that parent who took time to be involved in the school on a level beyond lunchroom help; that father who demonstrated that men can come to the school and spend time. I take my queue in parent-involvement from Mr. Kenneth Guscott and celebrate a life well lived.
March 17, 2017
To the Guscott Family
May you all find comfort and strength in the warmth and caring of family and friends.
-Ronald Coard and Family
Nangie Williams
March 17, 2017
Ken Guscott was a Champion! A Visionary! A Pioneer! This is a sad day in the history of Boston as this Icon is laid to rest.
Mr. Guscott, like his Countryman, Usain Bolt ran the race, but unlike many others before him, he not only won his life's race, he broke the record and set new ones.
His legacy lives on in his children and all the lives he has touched. He has now passed on the baton to you, take it and run!
Denise Barnes
March 16, 2017
Uncle Dunny may you rest in peace. I will surely miss you. Thank you so much for encouraging me so much to go back to school.
Caruso Family
March 16, 2017
Randi and family we would like to express our condolences and deepest sympathy on this unexpected loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you
Caruso Family
March 16, 2017
Randi and family so sorry for your loss as we wish to express our sincere condolences..
Victor Gathers
March 16, 2017
I had the pleasure and honor to work with Mr. Guscott, when the company was headquartered in the Prudential building (1974-75). As a kid earning his masters degree from B.U. and originating from Brooklyn,NY, I was gifted to work and learn from the most skilled, intelligent and culturally conscience man i have ever known , to date. Mr Guscott was a though business person, who provided clear and consistent leadership. I know and have known persons with authority, but I have never known any person to be able to travel from one side of the proverbial street to the other, and be a beacon for economic and moral justice . The lessons I learned from Mr. Guscott, have allowed me to be relevant in my employment, business, political, and organization involvement. Mr. Guscott was, is, and will forever be a great man. I am so thankful for the opportunity he gave me. In peace and Love
Jennifer Dubose
March 16, 2017
So sorry for your lost my you find strength with the love of God, family and friends
Eleanor White
March 16, 2017
Ken was a towering intellect, and a man dedicated to improving his community and the people in it. I met him in the early 1980's and found him to be a wonderful and enduring friend. My heart is broken at his passing. Condolences to Valerie, Lisa, and his entire extended family.
Eleanor White (former co-CEO, the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency)
CHAR ARTHUR
March 16, 2017
My sincere condolences to the Guscott and Whitmore family.
C.L. Arthur
March 16, 2017
My sincere condolences to Lisa, her family and the Whitmore family. May the Father comfort you during this difficult journey.
March 16, 2017
My sincere condolences to Lisa and the family at this very difficult time.
Sonia Alleyne
Celeste Lee
March 16, 2017
Ken's passing is a tremendous loss to Boston's African American community and to the city, overall. His wisdom, kindness, success, and commitment to economic empowerment for Black people was an example to this city's leaders. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his remarkable family.
Colette Phillips
March 16, 2017
My deepest condolences to the entire Guscott family at this very sad time. Boston's has lost a civil rights champion and community advocate for economic justice. Ken was a role model and mentor to so many he will be sorely missed.
Warmest regards, Colette
Charity Cochran-Murphy
March 16, 2017
I will always remember Kenneth and family as he shared his family story , while accepting the "Family Legacy Award". at the BOLLING building., while honoring Black History Month. It is great that he was able to speak to us all as he shared his family journey. What a journey ,what phenomena contributions to the city of Boston!
Dudley & Ricka Marsh
March 14, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Guscotts and extended family members as we all try to deal with the lost of a great leader and role model. Ken will be greatly missed.
Dudley & Ricka Marsh
March 14, 2017
As a representative of the Jamaica Tourist Board and the government of Jamaica in the Boston area for several years (1997-2005), I fondly remember working with Mr. Guscott and Patricia Farr on furthering the interests of Jamaica and Jamaicans in the Boston area.
My sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in peace......
Glen Bucknor
District Manager - New England
Jamaica Tourist Board (1997-2005)
LaVerne Freeman
March 11, 2017
I will miss all of the knowledge he passed on to me and all of the introductions he made on my behalf when I was starting my business.Ken was very kind and took the time to give me the names and telephone numbers and allowed me to use his name so I could get in and make by case for why deserved some of their business.He is missed by all and he has touched so many.
LaVerne Roberts Freeman
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