Kenneth Francis Gerrish (Ken), of Bridgewater, Mass., passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2026, following a brief period of declining health. He was 95.

Born at home on Deering Square in Rockland, Mass., to Kenneth T. Gerrish and Mary E. (Salvati) Gerrish, Ken grew up in the coastal areas of East Weymouth and North Weymouth near Wessagussett Yacht Club. He graduated from Weymouth High School in 1948. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Devens, Mass. He was later assigned to the 809th Aviation Engineer Construction Battalion, which could build aircraft runways in less than two days. His service included stateside assignments and a deployment by troop transport ship to Narsarssuak, Greenland, a journey he recalled took 27 days. Although he enlisted for two years, his service was extended for one year in June 1950 by President Truman as the Korean War began. His final duty station as a Private First Class was Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary Field No. 1, where Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle had trained B-25 bomber crews for the historic 1942 Tokyo raid. Ken was honorably discharged in Florida in 1951.

After his military service, Ken completed two years of training in Boston as a radio and television serviceman and worked in the field for eight years. He later trained as a nuclear electronics technician. For 25 years, he was self-employed with Nuclear Instrument Company, which he founded in Rockland, Mass., with business partner Carl Borsari. He was proud to hold a U.S. government license authorizing him to own and use radioactive materials and devices in the repair, maintenance, and calibration of nuclear instruments to national standards. Their customers included large hospital systems.

Ken married Mary Coletti of Braintree, Mass., in 1957. They shared 57 years of marriage until her passing in 2014. He valued his close relationship with the Coletti family and enjoyed many family gatherings over the years. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Tony and Pat Gerrish, and sisters Marie Mayne and Mary Appelt.

Ken and Mary raised three sons in Whitman, Mass., first on Auburn Street and later on Harvey Lane. He was proud of the home they built, and they were happy living on the South Shore. Ken thoroughly enjoyed family vacations at Lake Winnipesaukee in N.H. and visits to Cocoa Beach, Fla. In 1987, they moved to Sea Colony in Palm Coast, Fla., just steps from the beach. They also lived in Melbourne and Plant City to be near grandchildren and remained Florida residents until returning to Massachusetts in 2003.

While in Palm Coast, Ken opened Gerrish Garden Center, reflecting his lifelong interest in landscaping and gardening—a love of nature and the outdoors he passed along to his sons. A true tiller of the earth, he was a keen watcher of the weather and loved the crisp air of fall and warm sunshine of summer days, especially those on the water. Having lived near the ocean for much of his life, he also enjoyed boating and fishing, and he owned and maintained vessels of various sizes throughout his life. While living in Melbourne, he worked part-time for the Florida Marlins, now the Miami Marlins, during spring training at Space Coast Stadium. In his later years, he enjoyed volunteering at the Weymouth Historical Society, which fueled his passion for research.

Ken was an expert in home repair and home improvement and could solve nearly any mechanical issue or challenge. When the right tool wasn’t available, he would find a way to improvise. He enjoyed working with his hands and was plain-spoken, resourceful, and guided by an exceptional work ethic. Above all, he took pride in his family and in providing them with a stable home. He was also an avid reader and researcher of history, especially military history, and enjoyed Italian food and of course seafood.

Ken is survived by his three sons: Steven K. Gerrish (Dara) of Palm Coast, Fla.; John E. Gerrish (Maria) of Bridgewater, Mass.; and Kenneth A. Gerrish (Marci) of Matthews, N.C. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Beth Mobilia (Eric) of Bridgewater; Sean Gerrish (Cristen) of Middleboro, Mass.;Brian Gerrish of Bridgewater; Christie Cameron (Rob) of Charlotte; and Kenneth D. Gerrish, also of Charlotte; as well as five cherished great-grandchildren: Mason, Cam, Olivia, Myles, and Amelia.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during visiting hours on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Blanchard Funeral Chapel, 666 Plymouth Street, Whitman. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Ghost Parish, 518 Washington Street, Whitman, followed by interment with military honors at Central Cemetery, 170 Central Street, East Bridgewater, Mass.

Ken will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his resourcefulness, and the steady example he set throughout his life.