Kenneth M. Pedersen, 95, died on Friday, June 7, 2024 at Cornerstone at Milford after a period of declining health. He was a 41-year employee of the Bedford Public Works Department, serving as the Public Works Superintendent for several years, and retiring as the Water & Sewer Director in 1994. Following the Blizzard of ’78, he received a citation from Gov. Michael Dukakis for having kept all town roads open throughout the storm.
Ken was born in Manchester, NH, the son of the late Oscar Pedersen and Bessie (Philbrick) Heald. He grew up in Carlisle and lived in Bedford since 1963, where he was a member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational and the Frank W. Thompson Lodge, AF & AM.
A graduate of the Concord High School – Class of 1946, he attended the Mass. Military Academy and earned the rank of Captain in the 26th Yankee Division of the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a life member of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, the Woburn Sportsmen’s Club, the American Public Works Association, Massachusetts Highway Association, and the Bedford Historical Society.
He also was a member of the Massachusetts State Grange, Sons of Norway, the Lexington Lodge of Elks, and the Friends of Bedford Council on Aging as well as the Massachusetts Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association. Ken was also a member of the NRA, and several Masonic organizations, including the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Boston, Walden Royal Arch Chapter in Concord, the Shriners in Wilmington, and the Knights Templar in Natick.
He took great pride in being an active member of the Bedford community and enjoyed all that the town had to offer, especially the Bedford Day festivities each year. He particularly enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds and other wildlife in his Bedford yard, traveling, and taking cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean.
He leaves two sons, Kenneth M. Pedersen, Jr. of Holliston and formerly of Upton and Dennis W. Pedersen of NH; stepchildren Wayne Braverman of Bedford, Diane Gemmell of Orlando, FL, and Paul Braverman of CA; sisters Carol Houghton and Polly Garon of Westford, and Janis Jenkins of Rockport. He also is survived by six grandchildren: Pam Shrauger of MT, Robin Flannery of SC, Kenneth Pedersen III of Maine, Eric Pedersen of NH, Craig Pedersen of Framingham, and Jeff Pedersen of Alaska in addition to 10 great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ken was predeceased in 1987 by his wife Marion R. (Fraser); in 2006 by his second wife, Muriel O. (Phelps); and in 2010 by a son, Kevin G. Pedersen.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12 in the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 The Great Road, Bedford. Burial will follow in Shawsheen Cemetery in Bedford. Calling hours prior to the service are from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12 in the Bedford Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, P. O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or lovetotherescue.org.
The family gives special thanks to the staff at Cornerstone at Milford and Compassionate Care Hospice who provided loving care and support during his final days.
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