Edward F. Kent Obituary
Edward Francis Kent, 92, of Brockton passed away on October 27, 2022 at his home under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Lucille P. (Ciavarra) Kent.
Ed was born in Brockton, MA on March 15, 1930. He was the son of the late Charles H. and Mary M. (Gorman) Kent. Ed graduated from Coyle High School in 1948 and Wentworth Institute in 1949. He was in the United States Naval Reserve from 1949 to 1953, then served in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean War. He graduated from Boston University in 1959 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Ed had a diverse and extensive work history. He had a lifelong love of aviation. From 1950 to 1956, he worked at Pratt & Whitney, Brockton Airport and Northeast Airlines. Following graduation from Boston University, he began his engineering career. He worked at Allied Research, AVCO, American Science and Engineering, Accumetrics and Mithras from 1959 through 1968. From 1968 to 1974, he worked at Braxton Corporation developing a "scrubber" to reduce smoke stack emissions.
In 1974 he started Kent Products, a family business in the manufacturing and sale of pewter jewelry and hollowware. In 1983 he returned to Engineering, working at Beaver Surgical and Acufex until 1987. In 1988, he connected with a long time friend at Mitek Surgical Products where he worked on developing and licensing a novel surgical device, the "bone anchor.". In 1994, Mitek was acquired by Johnson and Johnson (Ethicon). Ed stayed on managing regulatory affairs with the FDA. He retired in 1999.
Ed was very involved in his community. When the children were young, he coached their hockey teams and was a lector at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He mentored and tutored students in English and Math. He was a member of the Brockton Rotary.
From 1983 to 2018 he was on the board at the Brockton Credit Union which ultimately became HarborOne Bank. He was Chairman of the Board from 2004 to 2006. He retired from the board in 2018.
Ed loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He went on countless vacations to Cape Cod and Disney with them. Ed's other interests outside of work were broad and varied. Dad introduced and instilled a love of outdoor activities and sports to his children and grandchildren. He loved golf and achieved a skill level that his children are still striving to meet. Ed "shot his age" multiple times. He loved skiing and there were numerous family ski adventures and outings. He played tennis for years, often with Dolly as his doubles partner. On winter afternoons, he could be found skating and playing hockey with his children at Leonard's Pond. Fishing and marksmanship were other activities he enjoyed.
He met Lucille "Dolly" Ciavarra, the love of his life, in 1949. They married in 1956 and were married for 66 years. In addition to his wife Dolly, Edward is survived by his children Edward F. Kent, Jr. and his wife Lisa, John J. Kent and his wife Janet, William C. "Chris" Kent and his wife Lee, and Maura A. (Kent) Thursby and her husband Michael; his grandchildren: Andrew M. Kent, Edward Alexander ("Alex") Kent, John ("Jack") Kent, Matthew E. Kent, Madalyn M. Thursby, James M. Thursby, Edward F. ("Ted") Thursby and Corinna E. Kent; and his sisters Mary A. Kent and Claire C. Hamill.
Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Wednesday, November 2nd at 9:30AM. Funeral mass to follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 439 West St., Brockton at 11:00AM. A reception will be held at Thorny Lea Golf Course immediately following. Interment will be held on Thursday, November 3rd in the VA National Cemetery, Bourne at 1:45PM. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 1st from 4:00-8:00PM. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to My Brothers Keeper http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org.
