Kenneth H. Vesey, Champion, Ohio

CHAMPION, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Kenneth “Ken” Harold Vesey, 91, passed away Friday October 25 at home surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.

Ken was born March 28, 1933 in Warren, the son of Ward and Marian Vesey and lived in Champion his entire life.

Ken was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1955 after serving two years as a Light Vehicle Driver. Ken worked at ITT Grinnell for 33 years as a machine operator hot forming steel and cutting pipe threads and retired from K-Mart Distribution Center in 1997 at the age of 64 after 9 years.

Ken had two passions in life – his wife Delores and his love of boxing.  Before being drafted, Ken boxed as an amateur for the Niles Eagles and would have pursued the Golden Gloves were it not for meeting a cute girl named “Toots” at the Champion Roller Rink. Delores and Ken were married in 1955 and their inseparable love remains an inspiration to their children and grandchildren. They shared a love of country-western music, dancing, playing games and fun times with family and friends.

Ken has a full game room and gym in his basement and prided himself on his daily 5am work-out routine. Until recent weeks he could be found outside taking his daily walks or riding around on his recumbent bicycle. He was a self-proclaimed and partially demonstrated pool shark as well the founder of the annual Vesey Thanksgiving Day Game Tournament, which included pool, ping pong, shuffleboard and darts.

Ken loved watching Ohio sport teams playing football, basketball and baseball:  Ohio State, Cleveland Guardians and the Cleveland Browns (unless #4 was at QB) and only missed a game when the cable was out.

Ken is survived by his son Doug (Amy) Vesey of Warren, daughter Pam Brooker and son-in-law Don Brooker of Westerville, Ohio; five grandchildren Ashton and Alex Brooker, Megan (Glenn) Pauley, Kyle (Callie) Vesey and Amber Vesey; two great-grandchildren; his brother Thomas “Dean” (Liz) Vesey, and sisters Ruth Graves, Louise Green and Marilyn Vesey.

Preceding Ken in death was the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Delores Vesey; parents Ward and Marian Vesey; son Todd Vesey; sisters Dorothy Vesey, Eleanor Weiss and Janet McCahan; brothers Frank and Jerry Vesey.

A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home . Calling hours will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services.

The family of Ken Vesey would like to extend their extreme gratitude to Patriot Hospice staff for their support enabling Ken to spend his final weeks of life at home surrounded by loved ones.

A television tribute will air Monday, October 26 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.