It was a cold, blustery rainy day back in the fall of 1962 at the annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Marblehead’s arch rival Swampscott. Captain Kenneth Eldridge caught the kickoff and headed down through the blinding rain and muddy field side stepping with a stiff arm for 82 yards to score the winning touchdown as well as kick the extra point. The crowd went wild, and Marblehead won the game 7-0!
Kenneth MacLean Eldridge passed away on Monday, Aug. 5, with the skill of an athlete and the grace of a gentleman, surrounded by his adoring family.
He was captain of both the football and the hockey teams at Marblehead High School, where he also served as president of his class. Kenny went on to play football at Columbia University, marry his high school sweetheart Carol Ann Howie and have three amazing daughters, Susan (Mark) Forker, Amy (Sean) Robertson and Sarah (Ron) Francis.
Ken was blessed with nine grandkids who always loved having fun with their “G-Dog!”
Luke, Will, Olivia, Kyle, Tessa, Joshua, Ashley, Adam and Molly make up the “Magnificent Nine!”
His stellar 52-year career at Raytheon Company took him to the corporate headquarters as the controller of administrative services and landed him two pensions, of which he was very proud.
He refereed hockey for many years and was a gifted skater. Ken was truly honored when he was inducted into the Marblehead Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
As a lifelong Marbleheader, Ken loved the ocean and boating and was captain of the Special K, the Carol Ann and the Carol Ann Too. He was also a long-time member of the Boston Yacht Club and worked many years throughout high school and college at Cloutman’s boatyard in Marblehead.
Among his many talents, he was a whiz at doing crossword puzzles, had an impressive knowledge of trivia and collected decorative knives. He was a skilled woodworker and could fix anything that broke. He was the “Captain” to those who knew him well.
When he retired from Raytheon, he started the Captain’s Quarters Marblehead business with his wife Carol. Together they set up a workshop/art studio creating painted folk-art designs and handcrafted wooden items.
Kenny and Carol traveled extensively as a couple, enjoying trips to England, Italy, Scotland, Norway, India, Africa, Greenland, Vienna, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Prague, Budapest, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Denmark and Dubai, and back and forth to Iceland five times. They were proud to share their love of travel with their grandchildren, bringing their grandsons to Iceland and their granddaughters to London. Maine was also a family favorite and they loved taking the grandkids there for summer fun.
Kenny lived by the motto “Play the hand you’re dealt with clear heart and mind.” He followed that motto faithfully making each day count.
His biggest love was his family. They were his everything and they adored him right back. His high school sweetheart of 60 years and those three divine daughters were his pride and joy. Kenny and Carol celebrated their Diamond Jubilee anniversary just recently.
Kenny was as “Easy as Sunday Morning.” Easy to work with, easy to get along with, easy going and just so easy to love. We will all miss him very much.
In lieu of flowers, the family is setting up the Captain Ken Eldridge 33 Memorial Scholarship to be awarded annually to a MHS student/athlete who demonstrates leadership and good sportsmanship. Donations can be made to the Marblehead Magicians Gridiron Club/Kenneth Eldridge Scholarship and sent to the Marblehead Magicians Club, P.O. Box 505, Marblehead, or online at .mhdgridiron.com/donations.
A celebration of life to honor Kenny is planned for the fall.
For more information or online guestbook, please visit murphyfuneralhome.com or call 978-744-0497.
