Kenneth E. Bannon

Kenneth Edward Bannon, 89, of Rockport, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 66 years Kay (Thorpe) Bannon. Born in Somerville, son of the late Lt. Carl E. Bannon and Phyllis (Balzarini) Bannon.
Ken was a graduate of Rockport High School and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He served twice in the U.S. Army, primarily in Verdun, France and Lawton, Oklahoma. Work life included the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockport National Bank, and went back to school to become a Respiratory Therapy later in life.
Long time Rockporters will smile upon hearing of his teenage work experiences at Eddie Donovan's Lobster Pool; working for Johnny Pascucci at the Sue-Jane Grocery and for Brad Hodgkin's Dairy Delivery; Poole's Drug Store; and Mario Balzarini's Trucking Business. As a young man he frequented Jennie Savage's Candy Shop and Melissa Smith's Bakery and loved to get free lobster bodies from Eddies and eating them in the back on the rocks with his friends.
Ken was a lifelong resident of his beloved Rockport where he brought up his children and instilled in them the love of nature, ocean and ice cream. His grandchildren will fondly remember going boating, clamming, lobstering and fishing on the dock. They learned to fish with Grandpa and caught many stripers which he cleaned and grilled for them. He served on the Rockport School Board for nine years where he met his best friend Stan Patey. Church membership and offices have included the Pigeon Cove Chapel, the First Baptist Church of Rockport and the Venice Presbyterian Church.
Ken loved sports, especially baseball. He pitched for the Rockport Town Team, outfielder for the Ft. Sill, Lawton, OK Army Team, and coached for the Rockport Legion Team and Little League teams. His love of life and touch of mischief delighted all of us. Ken was well loved and loved well. His was a thoughtful, caring and generous life marked by service to family, church and community.
He leaves behind his sons, Clifton Bannon and his partner Tsar Fedorsky of Gloucester, MA, Carl and wife Karen Miscall Bannon of East Hampton, MA and daughter Donna Bannon Peart and her husband William Kaeo Peart of Belmar, New Jersey; his grandchildren, Neal Bannon and partner Sarah Fletcher, Olivia Bannon and fiancé Trotte Karisson, Dylan Bannon, Zachary Peart and his wife Elena, and Jeffrey Peart; great grandchildren Keslyn MacLeod and her fiancé Cody, Jayden, Iren and Emrys Bannon and Callan Peart. Ken survived by sister Diane Bannon Lynn wife of the late Douglas Lynn and two nephews; Dan Lynn and Douglas Balzarini and his wife Nicole, niece Dianna Lynn Dolloff and husband Bruce Dolloff. Ken was predeceased by his brother, Philip Balzarini and stepfathers, Roland Humphrey and Mario Balzarini.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Rockport, 4 High Street, Rockport MA. 01966 Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com