Kenneth Marshall Whitman

Kenneth "Ken" Marshall Whitman passed away on September 25, 2021 at the age of 89. His long battle with chronic health issues didn’t prevent Ken from maintaining the smile and optimism for which he was known.

Ken was raised on Sunset Lake in Braintree by parents, Roland and Lena Whitman. After graduating from Braintree High School, Ken enlisted in the service where his passion of working with his hands took off as an Air Force mechanic in Manchester, England.

Upon returning to the states, Ken furthered his mechanical skills as a typewriter repair specialist at IBM, and later as the owner of Hingham Business Center. Many local schools and businesses came to rely on Ken as the friendly typewriter repairman.

Ken met "Barbie," the love of his life, on a blind date in 1957. Ken's easy-going nature exemplified by his willingness to drive from Braintree to East Boston to Paragon Park in Hull and back again, won Barbara’s heart and they were married a year later. Together, they raised three daughters who are grateful to have witnessed their parents’ love and 63-year commitment to one another. His strong moral compass has left a lasting, positive impact on his family.

Ken’s love of travel brought a sense of adventure to family life, with camping trips up and down the east coast, from Nova Scotia to Florida, weekends at the cottage in New Hampshire where he water-skied behind the pontoon boat, or on cruises to Cuttyhunk as captain of the “Round Tuit”. In retirement, Ken and Barbara visited national parks, traveled to Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, and cruised to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Bermuda—making lasting friendships along the way.

Never one to sit idle, Ken was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Phoenix Masonic Lodge in Hanover, the Tri-Town Rotary Club, and the Chanticleers men’s breakfast club in Hull. In his later years, Ken worked part-time as a driver for AutoZone and delivered meals on wheels to neighbors in Bridgewater. His affinity for working with his hands continued with needlepoint projects, crafting wooden bird houses, brewing homemade beer, and working on projects with his grandsons.

Ken will most be remembered for his devotion to his family and the many friends whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his three daughters, Nancy Kuoni and her partner Kevin Mooney, Sandra Whitman and her husband Mike Benoit, Joyce Whitman and her husband Keith Conforti; and two grandsons, Ryan and Jason Conforti. Also survived by his brother Charles "Bud" Whitman of Panama City Beach, Florida; niece Catherine Paris and husband Shan of Fayetteville, Georgia, and their children and grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly. Ken treasured each and every member of his family and embraced every moment with them.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Ken's life on Saturday, October 2nd at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 17 Church Street, Hanover followed by a gathering in the parish hall sharing refreshments and memories. A private burial service will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Ken's name.