Kenneth I King "aka Grandpa", 90, of the Hearth in Glastonbury, CT, formerly of Revere, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30. 2017. He was born in Malden, Massachusetts on October 8, 1926, the son of Roy and Lillian (Flight) King. He enthusiastically enlisted in the Navy at age 17 to fight in WWII as a gunner on a troop transport vessel and earned honorable discharge at the conclusion of the war. Upon returning home he followed his father's footsteps to become an electrician, and maintained his local 103 IBEW membership for 70 years.

Like his father he worked as an electrician for the MBTA public transit system in Boston, developing numerous friendships amongst all MBTA employees. With the nickname of "Smiley" it was no accident that he met his future wife who worked at AT&T when he was fixing some electrical fixtures in her office. He often proclaimed that "he hit the jackpot" when he met her and they were soon married. Their marriage of 38 years brought much joy as they travelled the world and relished in their grandchildren. Sadly, Ken was predeceased by his wife Ruth (Smaglis) King in 1994.

Ken enjoyed the big bands and especially ballroom dancing. He also spent most of his time with his grandchildren – Ryan & Patrick King; Eleanor, Olivia, Carolyn and Amelia Ragon. There are too many fond events and memories to highlight but one event highlights the lengths he would go to have fun with his grandchildren. When his first grandchild, Ryan, was diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment he arranged for Ryan to fulfill a dream – Ryan wanted to drive a train. Ken, with his deep connections in the MBTA, arranged for Ryan to drive a trolley car on the green line in Boston during normal hours. You can imagine the looks they got from the passengers! Luckily that was an era whereby love prevailed over liability!

Along with his grandchildren Ken is survived by his children, Susan Ragon and Kenneth King; his daughter in law, Courtney King – whom provided loving care for him throughout his life but most importantly in his final years. Additionally, Ken enjoyed 17 years of tender loving care from Rose Romanovitz of Andover, MA prior to relocating to Connecticut.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:   A Family Reflection will be held at the Carafa Family Funeral Home 389 Washington Ave. Chelsea on Saturday, July 8 at 1:00 P.M. An hour of visitation will precede the reflection from 12-1:00 P.M. Committal prayers will follow the service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.