Kenneth Wayne Sharkey

Ken was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on January 29, 1944, to father Guido Sharkey and mother Isabel Rooney Sharkey. The youngest of two sons, Ken relocated with his parents and brother, Brian, to South Florida where they owned and operated Sharkey’s Apartments on Hollywood Beach. He also worked alongside his parents and brother owning and operating a gas station and garage.

Ken was a devoted father and husband. He married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Tomarchio, on June 27, 1964, when they eloped to Georgia after her high school graduation. They went on to have three daughters, Charmaine, Melissa, and Kimberly, and would later renew their vows in the Catholic Church on November 19, 1991.

Ken’s work ethic and desire to take care of his family led he and his brother to begin a battery wholesale business, American Battery. The business grew and was eventually bought out by East Penn Manufacturing.

Ken was an avid fisherman and could often be found with his family and friends on his boat, Sharkey’s Machine, fishing for dolphin and sailfish in the Bahamas or trout and snapper in the gulf waters off the Keys. Earlier in life, he spent most weekends at the family vacation house in Key Largo and later relaxing on his back porch, enjoying a cigar and his favorite drink while watching the pelicans and porpoises go by. His love of family extended to his nine grandchildren who he loved taking for boat rides where they spent hours tubing, fishing and searching for porpoises.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Guido and Isabel Sharkey, and by his brother, Brian Sharkey. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Tomarchio Sharkey; children Charmaine Sharkey, Melissa Sharkey, and Kimberly Sharkey; and grandchildren Niko Sterghos, Kristo Sterghos, Jacqueline Sterghos, Mark Hood, Kenny Hood, Michael Hood, Carmela Hood, Jacob McPharlin and Nicolette McPharlin.

A visitation for Ken is planned for Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 12:30 pm followed by a service at 1:30 pm with a reception to follow. The visitation, service and reception will be at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 S US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955. All are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Ken’s lifelong commitment to family and friends can make donations to the National Centre for Padre Pio

https://www.padrepio.org/donate/memorial-gifts/

or St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care.

https://reflectionslsc.org/donate/