Kenneth Gray Wheeler

WHEELER Kenneth Gray Wheeler of Wellington, Fla., and Harwich Port, Mass., died peacefully on Sunday, September 17, 2006 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the age of 78, following many years of heroic struggle with cancer and heart illness. Mr. Wheeler was born in Bridgeport, on October 26, 1927, son of John Walker Wheeler Jr. and Eleanor Hubbard Wheeler of Fairfield, and subsequently Springfield, Vt. He was a dedicated and loving family man and an avid sportsman, highly accomplished at golf, tennis, skiing, sailing, and all other manner of outdoor sports. Following graduation from Deerfield Academy (MA) in 1945, he attended Dartmouth College (NH), and after service in the Army, was graduated with a business degree from Babson College (MA) in 1951. Formerly residing with his family in Cumberland, RI, "Ken," as he was known by his family and friends, spent his entire 31 year career at Taft-Peirce Manufacturing Co. in Woonsocket, R.I., where he retired in 1982 as executive vice-president and principal. For many years, he was active in volunteer work for Woonsocket Hospital, The American Red Cross, and The Woonsocket Kiwanis Club, and enjoyed his club memberships at Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford, R.I., Stone Horse Yacht Club in Harwich Port, Mass., Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, Fla., and Mayacoo Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was also a Mason, a member of the National Machine Tool Builders Association, a past trustee of The Mary C. Wheeler School in Providence, R.I., past commodore of The Stone Horse Yacht Club in Harwich Port, Mass., and past president of the Polo Island Condominium Association in Wellington, FL for 17 years. Perhaps best encapsulating his unique spirit and relentless persistence in his 18 year battle with cancer were his nephew, Gren Blackall's words, comparing him to a great marathon runner, "…. then, finally, when he comes to the finish line on his last of many, many trips around the marathon trail, he takes a bow, and quietly sits down amongst his dear family…. to a roar from the wildly cheering crowd." He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn Blackall Wheeler, daughter Gary Wheeler Hayes of Ridgefield; son, Gregory Walker Wheeler of Wilton, son, Douglas Hay Wheeler of La Jolla, Calif.; and six grandchildren. His siblings include brothers J. Hubbard Wheeler of West Palm Beach, Fla., R. Duff Wheeler of Ft. Myers, Fla., and David B. Wheeler of Easton, Md., and a deceased sister, Joan W. LaPoint of Stowe, Vt. His family offers special thanks to Dr. Henry Mankin and his staff at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass., Dr. Daniel Spitz and his associates at the Palm Beach Cancer Institute in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Dr. Jean Foucauld and his associates at Cardiology Partners in Loxahatchee, Fla. The family requests donations may be made in Ken's memory to the above facilities, or to The American Cancer Society. A memorial service will be held at Palms West Funeral Home at 110 Business Parkway, Royal Palm Beach, Fla. at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 23rd, with a second service planned for late October in Providence, RI (date to be announced).