Kenneth "Kenny" D. Peak

Kenneth "Kenny" David Peak of Philadelphia, PA, born on November 8, 1960, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2023 at the age of 62. He has gone home to join his loving husband Fernando "Nelo" Vicente, his mother Virginia Bell, and brothers Dennis and Lester Peak, all of whom preceded him in death.

Kenny is survived by his father James Bell; sister Trina Bell and brother Martin Peak. He has many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, godchildren, a host of cousins, in-laws, extended family, devoted friends, students, and his entire church family.

Kenny was a student at Transfiguration and Our Lady of Victory elementary schools. He was a graduate of West Catholic School for Boys and Gwynedd Mercy University.

A pillar in the Philadelphia area, Kenny dedicated more than 40 years to the Philadelphia Archdiocese Parochial School System, where he taught Elementary Education. Kenny participated in many community theaters and spent much of his time encouraging people to join. There is a large congregation of people who were impacted by this loving and kind soul, all of whom he truly loved with a passion. Not a day went by that Kenny wasn't thinking about ways to get more people involved in the church, its choirs, or in a musical production.

Most people grew to know Kenny because he taught them in school, led them to become involved in a choir, or encouraged them to sing, dance, act, or work behind the scenes in one of the many musicals or school performances that he directed.

Among his many gifts, Kenny Peak was a dedicated teacher, pianist, choir director, producer, director, and choreographer, singer, dancer, and actor. He was also a passionate dog lover, karate expert, cooking aficionado and roller derby athlete. Kenny started his own theater company, The Rainbow Players, devoting hours to assembling his vision of each play. There was nothing he couldn't do, and everything he did, he did wholeheartedly. If the smallest thing intrigued him, he would begin to perfect it, and dedicate his entire being to ensure he did it accurately before instructing anyone else. Somehow, Kenny convinced so many to join the Rainbow Players - even those who initially resisted vehemently. His love and dedication to community involvement was boundless.

Kenny was the spark that lit a fire in so many lives that shall forever remain burning. Even though his light is gone, he will continue to be a shining beacon of love, hope, tolerance and acceptance forever.

For just short of 63 years, Kenny gathered so many to his heart, and those people always returned the favor. No one has ever looked back and regretted knowing him. He will be forever missed.

One of Kenny's absolute favorite plays to direct and perform was Godspell. A final note is a Beatitude that is fitting for everyone to remember.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.