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Kenneth
William D'Angelo, beloved husband of Judith A. Mahoney, passed away in
the comfort of his Northwood, NH home on Monday, August 28. He fought a
long and courageous battle against a rare leukemia, caused by his
exposure to Agent Orange toxins while serving his country in the Vietnam
war.
Born
July 15, 1951 to William W. and Michelina (Mucciarone) D'Angelo, he
was raised and educated in Franklin, MA. After graduation from Franklin
High School in 1969, he opted to forgo his admission to Northeastern
University, and instead enlisted in the United States Navy. He
volunteered for duty in Vietnam, and served aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma
City as a radioman controller and antenna specialist for
3 ½ years, during which time the Oklahoma City was in active
combat along the coast of Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in
December 1973 with many Navy ribbons and meritorious service commendations,
including a personal citation from the Commander of the Seventh
Fleet.
Following
his Naval service, he worked for NASA during the first space shuttle
mission, serving as lead air-to-ground communications technician from the
Kawai, HI base station to the shuttle Columbia. He later returned to the
northeast and made his home in Northwood, NH, where he met his wife Judy.
They owned and operated their own business and together built their home on
Lucas Pond. Ken was a talented woodworker and builder,
designing the unique features of the home and bringing them to life. He
also loved outdoor adventures such as sailing, diving, hiking and snowshoeing
with his best dog friends Gus and Seamus, and traveling and
exploring (especially off the beaten path) with Judy and friends. Complete obituary can be found at Purdy Funeral Home Lee NH
In
addition to his wife of 35 years, Ken is survived by his sisters, Marcia
Mahoney and Marilyn Masi, both of Franklin, MA; sister-in-law Karen
Nelson; brother-in-law John Mahoney; son William; and nephews Daniel Masi, Eric
Masi, and Jonathan Crane. He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law
Robert Mahoney, Anthony Masi, and Dennis Nelson.
Funeral services with Military Honors will be held at
a later date privately at the New Hampshire State Veteran's Cemetery in
Boscawen. No calling hours are planned. Donations in his memory may
be made to the Disabled American Veterans organization (www.dav.org/donate) or to the Mass General Brigham Cancer Center
(giving.massgeneral.org/donate/cancer-center).
