Kenneth E. Kirkland passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Friday evening, March 14, 2008. The husband of the late Teresa B. (O'Brien), he was 91 years old.

Ken was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the son of the late Raymond and Eugenia Kirkland. He was raised and educated in Cedar Rapids. He a veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Navy. Ken had a successful career as a Machinist and an Instrument Maker. He was a fiercely independent man. He enjoyed tinkering with things around the house and with cars. He could fix or build anything. Ken was an active man who enjoyed playing cards, cooking, and sports.

Ken is the beloved husband of the late Teresa B. (O'Brien). He is the loving father of John "Jack" P. Kirkland of Burlington and Kenneth E. Kirkland, Jr. & his wife Susan of Wakefield. He is the brother of Nadine Merryman of Cedar Rapids, IA and the late Russell Fishell. He is the grandfather of John T. Kirkland, Amy Gaffney & her husband John, and Kimberly Sampson & her husband Glen. He is the great grandfather of Timothy & Rebecca Sampson and Kaylee & Keira Gaffney. Funeral Services will be private. Memorials in Ken's name may be made to the Dana Faber Cancer Institute-Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 or www.dana-faber.org