Wilmot, N.H. —
He was born April 13, 1953 in the Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Mass., to Edmund D. and Edith M. (Bill) Mason.
He was raised in Lebanon, N.H., graduating from Lebanon High School with the class of 1971.
He attended one year at Plymouth State College; then went into the management-trainee program with Texgas where he became the youngest branch manager of the company. He worked for the company that became Suburban Propane for 35 years, retiring in 2008. During that time, he served as General Manger in 9 stores in 5 different states, serving as troubleshooter to increase branch performances, retiring as General Manager/Regional Assistant from the Hilton Head Island, S.C., store in June 2008. While working at the Auburn, N.Y., branch he went to Cayuga Community College to earn his Business Administration degree.
He had very fond memories of his high school band, The Young Generation, which began his lifelong love of rock and roll music. His love of muscle cars began with his first Mustang “Snappy” in 1972, a love that was rekindled after retirement. Ken was an active outdoorsman and enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing, golfing, hiking, and mountain biking. While living in NY as a young man, he became involved in motor cross/enduro racing – earning many first-prize trophies. He again enjoyed this sport on a less strenuous scale after retirement. In the last couple of years, he spent many fulfilling and adventurous hours hiking the Appalachian Mountains with his friend, Paul Audette.
After retiring, he became involved in making performance improvements on his 2009 Mustang GT350, and then his 2008 Shelby Cobra GT500, Dark Snake, that became his pride and joy, winning many trophies in south east area car shows. Because of his interest in performance upgrades, he started his own internet business, Tunable Induction LLC, where he built special-ordered, customized, cold-air intake systems for mustangs. His interest in supporting young people led to Tunable Induction LLC sponsoring young Colby Davis of NY in his off-road/enduro racing.
His love of playing golf led Ken back to school to become a certified golf caddie. He caddied at May River Golf Club and Chechessee Creek Club, two very prestigious courses in South Carolina. Ken was an outstanding volunteer. He took an intense course and became a certified coach with The First Tee, a nationwide program for youth that provides educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, he served as a mentor for the “Hooked on Golf” program for youth and also served as a road crossing Marshall for the annual “Pedal 4 Kids” community fundraising ride. He also volunteered for the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in many ways, but the one thing he loved most was being Rudolph the Reindeer at the Community Christmas Tree Lighting. He felt so fulfilled volunteering and helping the children, and, of course, you know they loved him too. And it wasn’t just the kids. Ken was well-known as the “go-to guy” in the neighborhood. If you needed help – you could count on Ken.
His close, loving relationships with his daughters was extremely special to him. As was his relationship with God. Throughout his life, he remained true to his Catholic faith.
He is survived by his mother, of Lebanon; his father and his wife, Della, of Fairlee, Vt.; his wife, Anne Littlejohn, of Hardeeville, S.C.; his two daughters, Jennifer and her girlfriend, Tania Rodriguez, of San Diego, Calif., and Michelle and her fiancée, Adrian Rivera, of Queens, N.Y.; their mother, Deb Mason-Bilancini, of Seneca Falls, N.Y.; his two brothers, Keith, of Grafton, N.H., and Matthew and wife, Roberta, of Lebanon; his sister, Theresa Ingle and her husband, Bobby, of Antrim, N.H.; his nieces, Eliza Mason, of North Hampton, Mass., and Audrey Mason of W. Springfield, Mass.; nephews, Kyle Mason, of Greenville, S.C., Justin Mason, of Grafton, and Andrew Mason of W. Springfield, Mass.; his dear friend, Judi Barra, of Wilmot; lifelong childhood friends John Peck and Donnie Goodwin; along with countless other family and friends that were blessed to know him. He was predeceased by his brother Philip.
Family and friends are invited to the Ricker Funeral Home & Crematory, 56 School St, Lebanon, for calling hours on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church 2 Hough St, Lebanon. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, may we suggest a donation in Ken’s memory to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, 10 Pinckney Colony Rd, Suite 103, Bluffton, S.C. 29909 or to the charity of your choice. An online guest book is available to leave Ken’s family a message of condolence by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.