Kenneth W. Pratt

Born on October 21, 1949, in Long Branch, NJ, Kenneth was the loving husband of Laurette (Zebrowski) Pratt, cherished son of the late William and Eleanor Pratt, and beloved brother of Nancy (Pratt) Hellwig.

Ken grew up in West Warren, MA, and graduated from Warren High School in 1967. He enlisted in the United States Navy where he became a storekeeper. He served in Vietnam and was proud to display the fact he was a member of the "Vietnam Mekong DELTA" in the "Brown Water Navy" from 1968-1969 on the back of his truck. He was stationed on a barge on the Bassac River a few miles south of the Cambodian Border where he supplied PT boats and helicopters with what they needed to survive the dangerous waters and fields. He later served at the submarine base in Groton, CT. He married his wife, Laurette (Laurie) on December 20, 1969, when he returned from Vietnam, and soon after began his own family residing in Ware for the rest of his years.

Ken worked in sporting goods for years, traveling to and from the orient every other month to inspect factory production for Brookfield Athletic, Franklin Sports, Seneca Sports, and Sales Logistics Inc., his own business for ten years until retirement.

He had always promised his wife a waterfront property, so he built her a beautiful pond on their property that he enjoyed working on and sitting by as often as possible. He loved gardening around the pond and on his property, raising many of the beautiful flowers in his greenhouse. He also loved interacting with the wildlife around the pond and his porches, ensuring they were well-fed year-round, especially during the harsher winter months. Caring for and loving numerous animals, especially his pets over the years, was an important part of his daily life, as well.

Although he lived most of his life in Ware, he had great pride for his original hometown of West Warren and worked hard to get his old Warren High School history recognized into the Quaboag Regional High School trophy memorabilia displays the past couple of years.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, son Michael and his wife Jennifer (Sturbridge), and daughter Michelle and her husband Eric (Norton). He had four grandchildren he loved deeply, Alexander, MacKenzie, Emma, and Evan. He also leaves behind his wonderful sister Nancy and her husband Mark, along with nieces and nephews, William, Zoe, Rose, Riche, and Luigi.

He loved all sports, hunting, fishing, along with his corvette and BMW, but most of all he loved his family and friends.

Calling Hours for Ken will be held Thursday, October 30th, from 9:00am to 10:30am, in Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street Ware, MA 01082. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the same day at 11:00am, in All Saints Church, 17 North Street Ware, MA 01082. Burial with Military Honors will take place following the Mass, at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Ware.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that any donations be made in his memory to either All Saints Church, 60 South Street, Ware, MA 01082, or Second Chance Animal Services, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

An online tribute page is available at www.charbonneaufh.com.