Kenneth Eugene Bazner
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of retiree Kenneth Eugene Bazner, at his home in Hatchville, after a year-long battle with cancer on June 10. He was 76.
Ken began his career at WHOI in 1960 as a messman aboard the R/V Crawford. In 1962 he was promoted to an A.B aboard the Crawford. In 1968, he transferred to the Atlantis II as an A.B/dayman, then in 1969 he became the A.B/watchman. In 1981 he became the permanent bosun aboard the Atlantis II until his retirement in 1993.
In a recent interview, Ken related how when he was in the third grade, shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed, his teacher had asked the class to write a composition about what they wanted to be or do when they grew up. Ken’s paper was entitled “I Want To Be a Leatherneck.” His dream was to “join the Marine Corps, travel and see the world, and become an Elk.” Later, Ken joined the Marine Corps, traveled and saw the world while he worked with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and with a group of other men, got a charter for the Elks Lodge in Falmouth. He said, “It’s something. Eight years old and I’m writing my future. All three things came to pass.”
Ken was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after attaining the rank of sergeant (E-4). Ken was a member of the Marine Corps League, Cape and Islands, Detachment 955.
Ken was a charter and honorary life member of the Falmouth Elks Lodge 2380. He also served as the Elks Lodge chaplain. He was active in the Elks children’s programs and was a district chairman for the annual Elks “Hoop Shoot.”
Ken helped initiate the Cape and Islands Toys for Tots Program, which he ran until his recent illness prevented him from continuing.
Ken spent years calling bingo for St. John’s in Pocasset and the Royal Nursing Center in Falmouth.
He enjoyed going to Atlantic City and caring for the wild birds in his yard.
He is survived by Shirley Bazner, his wife of 24 years, and his nine stepchildren, Daryl Amaral of Wrentham, Glenn Amaral of Falmouth, Michelle Capone of New Hampshire, Robin Amaral of Falmouth, Craig Amaral of Lunenburg, Holly Amaral of Florida, Kevin Amaral of Weymouth, Mark Amaral of Illinois, and Wendy Amaral-Gallerani of California; brothers, Jack Bazner of Nevada, and Walter Bazner of Tennessee; and sisters, Elizabeth Sullivan, Josephine MacBean, Phyllis Bazner, and Valerie Foley, all of Massachusetts; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 475 Main St., Falmouth center. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Monday in St. Patrick’s Church, 511 Main St., Falmouth. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Toys for Tots, c/o Marine Corps League, Cape and Islands Det. 955, P.O. Box 1871, Orleans, MA 02653.
Some of the information for this obituary was taken from the Cape Cod Times.