George K. (Ken) Buchanan

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of long time WHOI volunteer George K. (Ken) Buchanan in Mashpee at the Hathaway Manor Extended Care Facility, after a brief illness.  He was 92.

Born in Boston, Ken was raised and educated in Weymouth, Mass. He joined the U.S. Army and served in Africa and Italy. He was discharged in 1945. Ken worked for the shipwright at Lawley, Quincy Adams, Crosby Yacht Yard, and Falmouth Marine as a Master Boat Builder.
 
Ken also was a judge in the Annual Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show and was honored with the Edgar B. Caffrey award for his outstanding contribution to the preservation and appreciation of marine heritage. He was a Mason for over fifty years in the South Shore and Falmouth Marine Lodge A.F.&A.M.  Ken enjoyed wood working and building Adirondack chairs.

For many years, Ken and his wife Dot volunteered together at the WHOI Ocean Science Exhibit Center, greeting visitors and helping in the Gift Shop.

He was the husband of the late Dorothy B. (Francis) Buchanan. He is survived by his children, Georgia Buchanan of Mashpee, Mass; Kenneth Buchanan and his wife Barbara of Marblehead, Mass; Nancy DeCesare and her husband Roy of Brunswick, ME; and Cynthia O’Rourke and her husband Richard of Fairhaven, Mass. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Oct 9, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., in the Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 74 Algonquin Ave, (At Route 151), Mashpee. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 11:30 a.m., in the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the VA National Cemetery Bourne, Mass., at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 174 Dean Street, Taunton, Mass., 02780.