Kenneth Payne Roberts, 78, of Plymouth, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 25 with his family around him. Born in Bridgeport, CT, on Oct. 30, 1945, he was the son of the late Kenneth Roberts and Jane Lonkoski Roberts Mastrone, who raised him alongside Michael Mastrone.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Nancy Roberts. He is also survived by his children: Kenneth Roberts Jr. and his wife Heather, of Niantic, CT, Kevin Roberts of East Lyme, CT, Melissa Vidaic and her husband Daniel, of Oradell, NJ, and Andrew Gustin and his wife Janine, of Plymouth, MA. Ken was also “Pop” to nine grandchildren – Kaley Roberts, Kendall Roberts, Daven Roberts, Jenna Roberts, Logan Roberts, Jeremy Vidaic, Anna Vidaic, Cole Gustin, and Samantha Gustin. He was predeceased by his son Geoffrey Gustin and his granddaughter Olivia Gustin, both of Plymouth.
Ken’s career began on nuclear submarines in the Navy, where he served for seven years – three of which were spent underwater. He continued in the nuclear field in various roles and ended his utility employment at the Pilgrim nuclear power station in Plymouth as the plant manager for Boston Edison. He then transitioned to developing small power plants with his own company, where he worked with his son Ken Jr. When he retired in 2001, he went back to the ocean to fulfill a life-long dream: he and Nancy captained their own boat down the intercoastal south, traveling to the Bahamas and throughout Florida. They especially loved the Keys.
Ken was an avid saltwater fisherman and enjoyed fishing in New England and Florida. His family, neighbors and friends will remember his sense of humor and deep love of life. He smiled easily and was generous in both spirit and skill (Ken could fix anything, from clocks, to motors or computers.) He named his boat the “Forever Young,” a song he danced to with his daughter on her wedding night, and as all those who loved him know, he embodied those words.
He will be missed.
Visiting hours at the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home 619 State Road, Plymouth, are on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Words of remembrance will be shared starting at 12 p.m. Cremation will be at Vine Hills Crematory in Plymouth.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory may be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle Suite 326, Plymouth MA, 02360.