Kenneth Joseph Rapose

Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jean (Young) Rapose. Kenneth also leaves his daughters Cindy, of No. Eastham,MA, MA, Jodi of Truro, MA, and Lori of West Yarmouth and his son Kenneth and wife Gail of Halifax, MA; one grandson, Kenneth J. Rapose, III; his sister Juanita Krieser, and his brother, Joseph Rapose of Ohio. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Kenneth was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Edmondson.

Ken was born on October 26, 1923 in VT, the son of Florence (Liberty) and Joseph Rapose.

He joined the army in 1942, and was in General Patton’s Third Army. He landed at Omaha Beach. When the war was over, Ken went to refrigeration school in Boston and worked on refrigeration for the farms in VT. In the late 40’s, Ken got a job with Pratt Whitney in East Hartford, CT, where he worked on the J75 jet engine.

In 1956 at his sister, Shirley’s wedding; he met her friend, Jean Young. For one year he commuted to Brockton, MA every weekend to see Jean. They were married in 1957, and had 4 children: Lori, Kenny, Cindy and Jodi. They lived in So. Windsor, CT for a while then Ken had a desire to build a special house in Tolland, CT. The house was built by Ken and Jean, and it had a 60 mile view from its deck. It was loved by the whole family. Ken, meanwhile, had been promoted at Pratt Whitney to the Test House. All engines were tested in this building and Ken was one of the Foremen who tested them. This job was extremely stressful, and Ken was looking for a change. In 1969, Ken moved the family to Eastham, MA. After looking for a business to buy, he bought the Nauset Market in No. Eastham. The whole family was involved in the store, but it meant working 7 days a week. The store was sold, and Ken practiced Real Estate. He finally bought his own business, Skaket Real Estate in Orleans. He sold the business, and he and his wife bought a 27’ R.V. and traveled cross country to CA which was the most fantastic trip of a lifetime. He and Jean did a lot of traveling and enjoyed every minute of it.

Ken was a man of few words, but when he spoke, we all listened. He never drank, smoked, or swore, and was a gentleman. He loved his family and his family truly loved him. He was a man who could fix just about anything, and we all went to him when something was broken.

A Visitation will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans MA on Saturday March 9, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM followed by a Service at 4:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Ln., Hyannis, MA 02601, who were with Kenneth until his death and treated him with great respect. The whole family is beholden to them for their kindness.

For online condolences and directions please visit nickersonfunerals.com