Obituary of Kenneth C DiPerna

DiPerna, Kenneth Christopher a former Polaroid and Massasoit Community College employee passed away peacefully at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading on Tuesday morning, June 5, 2018. He was 64 years old. Ken was born in Somerville and was one of three sons born to Christopher and Rose DiPerna. He grew up in Somerville near Inman Square. He was a graduate of Somerville High School where he excelled in Baseball. Ken had worked at Polaroid Corporation for over 25 years and would make Bridgewater his home for over 30 years. He worked in a variety of positions. When Polaroid closed, he was a technician in their Film Processing Department. He loved the years working at Polaroid and bonded with many co-workers who became closest friends. He finished his working career as a member of the Facilities Department at Massasoit Community College in Brockton. Ken had a great kinship with animals. At one time he co-owned Dor-Bil Stables in Bridgewater for many years. He was caretaker of several horses and boarded other owners’ horses at the stables. He loved sharing his passion for horses with others. He helped his co-owner who gave horseback riding lessons and he conducted pony rides at birthday parties and other events. His love for animals extended well beyond horses. He fed birds year round at his home and left food for outdoor animals year round. At Massasoit he was always tending to and became caretaker of a family of cats who lived on the grounds of the campus. The school recognized him with a citation for kindness and compassion he extended to wildlife. Even after his disability, he still returned to the campus when he could to assure that the stray cats were well cared for and always had birdfeed and cat food in the trunk of his car. Ken was a man who was needed to be active. While working he always made time for a multitude of activities. He was a pitcher for a softball team in the Somerville City League and he was a Softball pitcher for the Polaroid Baseball team. He enjoyed the competition as well as keeping a connection with his friends and the city he grew up in. He loved the outdoors and camping in Maine. He enjoyed freshwater and salt water fishing. He was also an avid boater which was a passion he shared with his brothers. He always looked forward to card night with his brothers, cousins, and friends. Ken always made time for his family and friends and had a strong presence and influence on them all. He will be greatly missed by his brothers, nieces and nephews, aunts, cousins, and many friends and neighbors. Ken was the beloved son of the late Christopher & Rose DiPerna. He was the loving brother of David DiPerna of Burlington and Stephen DiPerna of Medford. He was the proud uncle of Christine Lawson, Lauren Burgess and Kathleen, Stephen & Cara DiPerna. He was the great uncle of Crystal McQuaid, Mark & Stephanie Lawson, Lisa Grady and James, Blakely & Brielle Burgess and great great uncle of William McQuaid. He was survived by two aunts; Jenny Rosenberger of Somerville and Dolly DiPierro of Cambridge. He was also survived by many cousins and friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Friday, June 8 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9 at 11 a.m. Burial to follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers memorials in Ken’s name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226