Kenneth B. DeRoy

Kenneth (Ken) Blanchard DeRoy, 60, of Gardner, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at his home on December 9, 2020, comforted by his loving wife, Michelle, and his dear family. Ken’s valiant battle with brain cancer showed his courage in always facing life's challenges with a smile.  

Ken was born in Norfolk, Virginia on November 10, 1960. He was the third child of Joseph and Ruth DeRoy and was blessed to grow up with four siblings that he loved dearly, Jeanne, Steven, Robert, and Ruthanne. When Ken was in middle school, his family moved to North Brookfield, MA where he met his lifelong friend and brother, Richard. Ken loved reminiscing about his youthful antics growing up, and we will now hold dear those memories that always made him smile and laugh!

At the age of 21, Ken met his soul mate, Michelle. They were married three years later on September 22, 1985 at Saint Cecilia’s Church in Leominster, MA. His love for his wife was something that he treasured and never took for granted. The words “I love you” were shared with her every day, and now these words are forever etched in her loving memories of him. Their marriage was blessed with three beautiful and talented children, Kristina, Heather, and Michael, who always made him so very proud. Over the years he was pleased to welcome to the family two wonderful sons-in-law, Michael and Timothy; a beautiful daughter-in-law, Jessica; as well as four grandchildren, Caroline, Nicholas, Victoria, and Brooklyn. Family was always Ken’s first priority in life and he was so proud to be called Husband, Dad, and Grampy.

After graduating from college, Ken excelled and was highly respected in his career as a mold maker, tool room manager, and tooling engineer at Res-Tech Corporation in Clinton, MA and most recently at Avery Dennison Corporation in Fitchburg, MA. Ken’s knowledge of plastic injection molds was extensive and he was always eager to teach and share his expertise. Many wonderful friendships were born over the years from his places of employment, and he was so grateful for the love and support from everyone, especially during his recent and most difficult struggle.  

Ken was also an avid fisherman. His peaceful place was on a lake, surrounded by wildlife, casting his fishing pole, and hopefully reeling one in! Fishing was a reflective and meditative activity that allowed him the opportunity to slow life down and enjoy his surroundings. Many weekends, from April to October, you would find Ken fishing on his treasured old fishing boat. We will always cherish our memories of that twinkle in his eyes, smile on his face, and genuine enthusiasm in his voice, as he showed us the photos he took and told us another great fish story about how the “big one” got away!

Ken was a beautiful soul that was taken from us far too soon. He will be forever remembered for his caring heart and selfless devotion to his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife and best friend, Michelle; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kristina Milvae and her husband Michael of Columbia, MD, and Heather Alden and her husband Timothy of Westborough, MA; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael DeRoy and his wife Jessica of Leominster, MA; three grandchildren, Victoria Milvae, Nicholas Alden, and Brooklyn Alden; and his loyal dog, Brandy. He also leaves behind his dear mother, Ruth DeRoy of Monson, MA; his siblings, Jeanne Thibeault and her husband Donald of Spencer, MA, Steven DeRoy and his wife Sarah of Douglas, MA, Robert DeRoy and his wife Debbie of Tolland, CT, and Ruthanne Dos Santos and her husband Michael of Tolland, CT; his in-laws, Monique Whitney and her husband Raymond of Leominster, MA, Madge Dunphe and her husband Andy of North Brookfield, MA, and Nicolle Cephole and her husband Marshall of Winchendon, MA; his dear childhood friend, Richard Caron of North Brookfield, MA; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Kenneth was predeceased by his father, Joseph DeRoy; and his granddaughter, Caroline Milvae.

Due to the current pandemic, funeral services will be private. Following the service, a video recording will be available via a link on this page for all those who wish to honor and remember Ken by watching online.

Our special thanks to everyone at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the UMass Memorial Neurosurgery Department, and the Central Care VNA and Hospice for the excellent care they provided to Ken.    

Memorial Contributions may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or on their website at (www.dana-farber.org/gift). Please reference in memory of Kenneth B. DeRoy. All proceeds will go to support cancer research and patient care.