Kenneth A Luce

Kenneth A. Luce, 92, formerly of Westbrook, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Sunday May 5, 2013 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was born in Benton, the son of Edmond and Ethel (Elliott) Luce. Kenneth worked at the S.D. Warren Paper Co. for many years retiring in 1982. Kenneth was a member of the Reserve Officerâ€™s Association, Past Master of Temple Lodge AF & AM, Past Commander of the Owen Davis American Legion Post in Saco, and was the oldest member of the American Legion Manchester Post in Westbrook. Kensâ€™ exploits on the field, the court and the diamond were legendary during his high school years and in 2011 he was inducted into the Thornton Academy Sports Hall of Fame. Ken was the leader of the line for the nearly unstoppable 1938 Thornton Academy football team. His strength, quickness and leadership abilities at the center position opened numerous running lanes for a team that has been described as a â€œscoring machineâ€. Ken stood out among his peers by being named to both the All-Conference and All-State teams. Kenâ€™s skills on the basketball court were equally as spectacular. Along with two players from South Portland and one each from Portland and Deering High Schools, Ken was named to the Portland Press Herald All-Conference Team in 1939. An all around athlete, Ken also lettered three years in baseball. His interest in baseball and the Saco community led him to manage and coach the 1954, 1955 and 1958 Saco Post 96 Owen Davis American Legion Junior baseball teams to state titles. Off the field Ken was devoted to his country. He served during World War II and for many years afterwards. Ken and his Grandsonâ€™s service to our country was a great source of pride for him. He retired as a Major in the Air Force Reserves. Ken also enjoyed and excelled at the game of golf. His exploits at Gorham Country Club were certainly noteworthy and included the first hole-in-one on the then, new 15th hole and the rarest of all birds, a double eagle on the 9th. He was a longtime member of the â€œEaglesâ€ and the â€œOver the Hill Gangâ€ playing bright and early morning rounds during his retirement years. Ken thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the opportunities to play the game he loved with lifelong friends and family and was very well respected and liked among his peers. Ken was also a remarkably talented pitcher of horseshoes, and was nearly unbeatable in the annual S.D. Warren tournaments. He was an extremely talented bridge player that took the time to type a 20 page instruction and strategy manual to help his wife, â€œCharlieâ€ learn to play. Certainly no slouch on the cribbage board, Ken would play for hours, particularly in his later years with his oldest son, Kenny. Although the results were regularly tilted in the elder Kenâ€™s favor, his son Kenny often would request an â€œauditâ€ just to double-check his math skills! Ken was a shining example of this countryâ€™s â€œGreatest Generationâ€. Always placing his familyâ€™s needs ahead of his own, he survived the Depression and dutifully served his country during the World War II era at times working 3 jobs at once to provide a better life for his family. He never, ever complained and had little patience for those who did. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of 66 years, Charlotte (or â€œCharlieâ€ as he called her). He was the omnipresent father to three incredible boys. Kenâ€™s paternal skills helped raise those successful and wonderful sons that went on to give him and his wife 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Grampa Luce loomed as a larger-than-life figure for over 40 years. His imposing stature belied a warm and gentle heart that was incredibly endearing to them all. He was patient, thoughtful and spoke only after giving serious consideration to what he wanted you to hear. He was an incredibly strong and resolute figure when we all need him (and we all certainly needed him at one time or another)! He dearly loved us all. His influence was recently felt as far away as the Middle East, South Korea and Japan by his grandsons. When faced with difficult or at times, life or death situations, they would ask themselves â€œWhat would Gramp doâ€? His calm, thoughtful and even-keeled approach to life was never lost on them. Ken loved holiday family gatherings, dining out, and cookouts and was certainly at his best when surrounded by those who loved him most. His remarkably positive influence will be an invaluable source of inspiration to us all and the void left by his passing will never be filled. Ken, â€œKennyâ€, â€œDadâ€, â€œGrampaâ€, â€œGreat Grampa Luceâ€ and â€œUncle Kenâ€ will be sadly missed by his entire family. He was predeceased by his wife and the one true love of his life, Charlotte (Benn) Luce in 2007, a brother Albert and a sister Alberta Quinby. He is survived by his sons Kenneth Luce Jr. of Windham, Darryl Luce of Medford, and Jeffrey and wife Patricia Luce of Omaha, NE; grandchildren David Luce and his girlfriend Tabatha of Gray, Andrew Luce of Windham, Matthew Luce and wife Amy-Jo of El Paso, Texas, Jeffrey Luce, Jr. and wife Angela of San Francisco, CA, and Michael Luce and his fiancÃ© Maisie of Fujinomiya-shi, Shizuoka, Japan. His great-grandchildren Alexandra and husband Anthony Wade of NC, Olivia of Sumter, SC, and Jacob Luce of El Paso, TX. A visiting hour will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 PM Friday at Blais & Hay Funeral home, 35 Church St., Westbrook, followed by a Masonic and Memorial Service at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsonâ€™s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. box4777, NY, NY 10163-4777 or to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and friends at the Casco Inn Assisted Living, Maine Medical Center, and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their care and compassion.