Westborough – Kenneth Lowell Walker, 88, a lifelong resident of Westborough, MA passed away on February 14, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Worcester, he was the second son of Lowell and Lora (Campbell) Walker of Westborough. Raised on a dairy farm, Ken learned early on the challenges and rewards of hard, honest work. He graduated from Westborough High School in 1953 and went on to earn a certificate in Animal Husbandry from Stockbridge School of Agriculture in 1955. This was later recognized by the University of Massachusetts Amherst to meet the requirements of an associate degree which he was awarded in 2006 with his proud family in attendance.
Ken was employed on the farm of Walter Carlson in Northborough, MA for several years before beginning to work as a lineman for the New England Bell system now known as Verizon. Highly regarded for the quality of his work as well as his reliability and work ethic, he was often called upon to remedy downed lines or broken poles at all hours of the day or night. He progressed into a management role providing outstanding building management and maintenance until his retirement in 1993. Not one to sit back and relax, Ken hung out his shingle as a carpenter and practiced his skills in all types of home repair and construction for many more years.
Ken was the husband of Merrie (Ellis) Walker with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage later this year. Together, they raised five children, initially on the farm at 17 Park St. (now Walker Meadows) until building their own home at 89 Bowman St. in 1973 where he lived for the rest of his life.
Ken never relinquished the farmer in him and enjoyed raising and caring for numerous Hereford cattle until the last one passed away late last year. Over the years, he also enjoyed the loyal companionship of his many dogs. He always had a very large vegetable garden, and his family was well acquainted with the vagaries of weather and weeds, insects, and other intruders. A lot of life lessons were taught on the farm and in the garden. In recent years, as he “slowed down”, he became a voracious reader of mystery, intrigue, and historical fiction, and also enjoyed doing Word Searches which he always completed with pencil and ruler to be precise and orderly.
Ken was a longtime member, Deacon, and sexton of First Baptist Church of Westborough. He was a Mason and member of the Siloam Lodge Af and Am in Westborough.
Ken was a quiet man who lived his values and beliefs. He was trustworthy, honest, and hardworking and truly earned the admiration and respect of all who knew him. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, a job well done, respect for others, and being there for those who needed you.
He loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed having them around whether it be at large family gatherings from barn raisings to birthday parties or in one-on-one conversations.
Ken leaves a large hole in all of our lives but the lessons and the blessings of the life he lived will be present in all of us for generations. His was a life well lived.
He was predeceased by his parents as well as his brothers, Phillip Nash and Robert Walker, his son-in-law Michael Silva, and his granddaughter Stephanie Antonio.
He is survived by his wife, Merrie; his five children and their significant others, Diana and Alan Moyer of Westford, MA, Sandra and Jeffrey Ng of Upton, MA, Linda and John Chruney of Uxbridge, MA, Jamie Walker and Melissa Santiago of Westborough, MA, and Heidi Silva of Worcester, MA; his eleven grandchildren, Brittney and Joshua Brainerd, David Antonio and Joanna Devine, Jessye and Brian Dodd, Kevin Moyer, Brian and Megan Walker, Nathan and Sarah Moyer, Aaron Shenkin and Shannon Hunt, Marissa Ng, Laura Ng, Zachary Walker, and Mallory Walker; his 6 great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Annabell, and William Brainerd, Calvin and Scarlet Dodd, and Grace Walker. Also surviving him are his sisters Barbara Wilson and her husband Burt of Windham, ME and Sally Sutherland and her husband Phil of Brandon, VT as well as his sisters-in-law Bonnie Ellis and Roberta Walker, many nephews, nieces, and several cousins.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday, March 5, from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough with a Masonic Service at 6:30 P.M. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 6, at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home with burial to follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to:
Telephone Pioneers of America
8547 E Arapahoe Road, Suite J-312
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Phone: 800-872-5995
