Obituary of Kenneth A. DeLonge

Kenneth A. DeLonge, 98, of Essex Meadows, Essex, CT a mechanical and metallurgical engineer, died at his home on Nov. 11, 2011. He retired in 1977 as Senior Vice-President and Director of INCO, Ltd., the former large nickel mining and alloy metal producing company. Ken spent his whole working career with this company, starting in their research laboratory in Bayonne, NJ, after graduating from Michigan State University in 1936. He was a recognized authority on the metallurgy and production of alloy cast iron. Born in Detroit, MI in 1913, he was a long time resident of Cranford, NJ where he was active in the First Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and a two term President of the Board of Trustees. He was also active in United Fund drives, Visiting Homemakers Association, the Cranford Library and the Cranford Planning Board. Ken had been a resident of Essex Meadows for over twenty years where he was an active member of the community. His favorite place was his summer home in Grafton, VT. Summers would find him there entertaining friends and family, playing tennis, gardening, woodworking and puttering. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Rachael Minges DeLonge, his daughter, Diana French of Mahwah, NJ, and his two sons, David K. DeLonge of Millburn, NJ and Ronald M. DeLonge of Saxtons River, VT, his sister, Eleanor Pettis of Holland, MI, and his seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his youngest son, Gary Van Pietersom DeLonge. Always a gentleman and fun to be around, Ken was blessed with a keen mind, an amiable, kindhearted nature and energetic personality, and guided by common sense, traditional values and good judgment. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 2:00PM in Hamilton Hall at Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Road, Essex Connecticut.