He was born May 6, 1951 in Batavia, NY, a son of the late John Kasperek II and Janet (Frost) Milani.
A 1969 graduate of Akron Central School, he attended Houghton College West Seneca campus and completed many continuing education hours in design, photography, and advertising over the years.
Ken was Co-Publisher of the Akron Bugle, a weekly community newspaper in Akron, NY, an award winning photo-journalist, and newspaper designer. He recently completed terms as a member of the New York Press Association Board of Directors and was an active partner with Weekly Independent Newspapers.
A gifted musician, Ken was a member of the Akron Community Band for 58 years, playing principal trumpet for many of those years. He served as librarian of the Band for 56 years and was a Trustee and trumpet section leader. In recent years, he was also a member of the Pembroke-Corfu band.
Active in The United Methodist Church, he was an associate member of Newfane UMC and a member of Akron First UMC. He was a founding board member and contributor to the C. Dee Wright Community Ministry Center. He was an equalization member of the Upper New York Annual Conference and for many years worked with their communication team as a photographer and designer for their publications. He participated in the Bell Choir at Akron First UMC and was Director of that group for multiple years. He taught Sunday School and led the Youth Fellowship at Clarence Center UMC in the 1970’s. Ken received the Western New York United Methodist Committee on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) award for his commitment to the advancement of women’s issues.
Ken has been a member of the Rotary Club of Akron-Newstead since 1990 and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a Past Vice President and Past President of the Akron-Chamber of Commerce, and past member of the Akron Celebration Committee.
He was the first male Girl Scout leader in Western New York and led Junior and Senior Girl Scout Troop 352 in the Akron neighborhood.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn J. Kasperek of Akron. Daughters, Karlyn (Michael) Backus of Batavia, Alison (Justin) Allaman of Erie, PA, and Sarah (Chris) Roth of Clarence. Grandchildren, Shaun Finucane, Kirra Roth, Teagan Finucane, Bryan Allaman, Hailey Roth, Riley Allaman and Abigail Allaman. Brothers, Thomas (Nancy) Kasperek of Nebraska and John (Ann Marie) Kasperek III of W. Seneca. Sister, Nancy Knop of Tonawanda. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences, and fond memories on Friday (March 24th) from 4-7 p.m. at the Newstead Fire Hall, 5691 Cummings Rd, Akron, NY 14001. A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be Saturday, 4:00 p.m. at the Newfane United Methodist Church, 2699 Main St., Newfane, NY 14108.
Memorial contributions may be offered to the family for distributions to various charities. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 32 JOHN ST., AKRON, NY 14001. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.
