Kenneth John Ritchie, 90, formerly of West Chatham, passed away peacefully at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, MA on March 1, 2018. Ken was born in Dorchester on July 29, 1927 to Cecilia and Harold Ritchie of Milton. He was the husband of the late Jeanne (Dustin) Ritchie and the brother of Charlotte Mulvaney. He is survived by his sons, Stephen and wife, Holly of Weston, MA; Brian and wife, Kathy of Chatham, MA; Denis and wife, Nadine of Newburyport, MA; and Christopher and wife, Denise of Southboro, MA. Ken was the proud “Grampie” of eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren with three more on the way.
Ken grew up in Dorchester and was a veteran of WWII serving in Pearl Harbor. He later graduated from Northeastern University with a BSEE and MBA. Throughout his career in the electronics industry, Ken and his family lived in the New England area in Westwood, MA, Weston, CT and Amherst, NH. While living in Westwood, Ken served as Selectman and was active on various town committees. In 1964 Ken and Jeanne built a home in Chatham where they summered and enjoyed boating and the beach. An avid traveler and humanitarian, Ken retired to Chatham in 1983 and dedicated his time to the disadvantaged in the lower Cape communities as the Chairman of Chatham Ecumenical Council for the Homeless (CECH).
Ken was presented The Business Person of the year award in 1996 by the Rotary Club of Chatham.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 12th, at Holy Redeemer Church, 57 Highland Avenue, Chatham, followed by burial at Seaside Cemetery in Chatham.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ken’s memory to: Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter online or mail a check to The Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or to Chatham Ecumenical Council for the Homeless (CECH) at P.O. Box 81, West Chatham, MA 02669-0081.
For online condolences, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com/nickerson-funeral-home-chatham
