17 South Delaware Avenue, Yardley, PA
Tribute Wall
Thursday
10
August
Visitation at Funeral Home
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, August 10, 2023
FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home
17 S. Delaware Avenue
Yardley, Pennsylvania, United States
Friday
11
August
Mass
11:00 am
Friday, August 11, 2023
Church Of St. Ignatius Loyola
980 Park Ave.
New York, New York, United States
Friday
11
August
Final Resting Place
1:00 pm
Friday, August 11, 2023
Gate Of Heaven Cemetery
10 W. Stevens Ave.
Hawthorne, New York, United States
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Barbara (Dolan) Grant posted a condolence
Friday, September 1, 2023
I think God must have had a plan when Ken Laker and John Grant came to Marymount Manhattan College for a dance and met Mary Ellen (Lewis) and Barbara (Dolan). We all got along very well and became fast friends in the ensuing years, being in each other's weddings and godparents to each other's children. We had memorable vacations with the Lakers in Manteo, NC and also attended many important celebrations with their wonderful families. Ken and Mary Ellen were not only warm and welcoming friends but inspirational and optimistic ones as well.
Ken will be missed but never forgotten. I am so grateful for all the special memories.
Barbara (Dolan) Grant
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Ron Lucas posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2023
Funeral Mass video.
https://www.youtube.com/live/15lIbeNxF7g?feature=share
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John Jackson posted a condolence
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Longtime friends. Great memories growing up. One of the jive five and the hellsman. Rest in peace Ken...
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Darcy Calabria lit a candle
Friday, August 11, 2023
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Ken was always such an amazing friend and neighbor! He was always genuinely so happy to visit with us, come over for a cookout, go out to dinner with the gang, or have a nice little picnic lunch with me and my dad, Craig. He will be so deeply missed.
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MARIE SCHWARTZ lit a candle
Friday, August 11, 2023
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It was always an upbeat moment when Ken and Mary Ellen would come to water painting class at the Yardley Senior Center. I sat opposite them and there would be lots of laughter and banter.as we all gave our individual attempt at being "VanGogh" painters. When it was time to show the class what we accomplished , Ken would always praise how good Mary Ellen's was and MaryEllen would rave about Ken's. If there was anything to do to help Chris Montero, our teacher, with putting up an exhibit, they would both be there. Just great people!! I will miss Ken.
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Sam & Kay Uhler uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 11, 2023
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Kay and Sam Uhler posted a condolence
Friday, August 11, 2023
We met Ken and Mary Ellen in Manteo where we each owned condos. We had so much fun boating, eating at our favorite restaurants, and just being together. Sam and Ken had a week of boating instruction together with Ken earning his degree. We loved our time together and we will miss him.
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Vijay and Yolande Bhargava posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Dear Mary Ellen and Family,
It is with profound sadness that we received the shocking news of the passing of Ken. We are devastated by your loss.
Ken was an exceptional human being, a sincere friend and a remarkable IEEE volunteer with whom Vijay really enjoyed working. As IEEE President or in any other positions that Ken served in, he always shined by his intellect, his sense of leadership and service and by his undeniable humanity and all the qualities that it encompasses.
Ken has touched many lives, in many ways; his legacy will live on. As for us, we will always cherish the beautiful memories that he leaves us with. It has been a privilege to know him.
Our heartfelt condolences to you Mary Ellen and to all your Family. Be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
May Ken rest in peace in the House of the Father. He will be dearly missed.
Yolande and Vijay
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John Long posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2023
I met Ken Laker for the first time about 10 years ago when I visited Jan Van Der Spiegel in Philly. Ken joined us for lunch, and I had a brief conversation with him afterwards in his office. I was immediately won over by his friendly and easy-going manner, and I appreciated his words of encouragement and willingness to share hard-won lessons. Ken must have been a fantastic mentor. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
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John Long posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2023
On behalf of Ken's colleagues in the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society, I'd like to express our sympathies to the Laker family, close friends of Ken, and his colleagues at U Penn. We owe Ken a deep debt of gratitude for his selfless contributions to our profession. He was as an outstanding teacher, a first-class researcher, and very generous with his time and energy as an IEEE volunteer in many roles, including IEEE President.
J.R. Long, IEEE-SSCS President, 2022-2023
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Colleen (Grant) Oza uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
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I am so sorry for your loss and I send all of my love to the whole family. I know that my dad is thrilled to be reunited with his best friend and that they are having a Guinness together right now. But the world has lost a brilliant, kind, and wonderful man. I am honored that I got to have him as my godfather for 40 years ❤️
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Ron Lucas posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
https://ieee-cas.org/post/announcement/memoriam-professor-kenneth-r-laker
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Barbara Mosley posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Ah, Ken! Mary Jane and I will always remember our gatherings, whether in Yardley or up here in the north country when you visited us on vacation. Time always seems to be too short to enjoy the people you love. You lived a wonderful life surrounded by people who loved you, including us. I hope you and Mary Jane find each other in Heaven and share a story or two. I will continue to hold you in my heart.
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Ron Lucas uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
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Manhattan College Yearbook 1968
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Moshe Kam posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
Dear Colleagues:
I was greatly saddened by the news of Ken Laker's passing. Our first meeting was in 1983 when I was a graduate student and we have been in a years-long on-and-off conversation since then. He helped mentor me when I joined the Philadelphia Section Executive Committee (he served as Chair, 1994-1995) and I functioned as one of his "foot soldiers" in the intense petition campaign to elect him President-elect of IEEE in 1997 (he was indeed elected and served as IEEE President in 1999) -- In this campaign he assigned me to collect signatures for the petition from Israel, Greece, Italy and France. More than 25 years later I am still in touch with some of the IEEE volunteers I met during this affair.
Throughout the years Ken was an optimistic and energetic advisor and leader, brimming with original ideas, dedicated to the profession (foremostly to IEEE students), indefatigable, and able to use his contagious sense of humor and strong sense of the practical and achievable to overcome even the most stubborn obstacles.
Like many IEEE volunteers and professional colleagues whom he had encouraged and supported, I will always remember him for the personal example he displayed and for his generous guidance. These made a significant positive difference in our lives and careers.
May he rest in peace.
Moshe.
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James Tau posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
I am saddened to learn that Dr. Laker has left us. I had the honor of being one of his students some 28 years ago. He was definitely one of the most approachable professors I've had, and I have fond memories of him sharing his wisdom and experiences. He was an exceptional human being.
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Adel Sedra posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
Ken Laker was a great engineer, scientist,educator,and an amazing leader. Above all , he was a wonderful person and a beloved friend. I will deeply miss him. Sincere condolences to the family.
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Tim Trick posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
Dorothe and I offer our deep sympathy to Mary Ellen on the loss of Ken. I will always remember Ken's enthusiasm for his work and for his contributions to the profession. Dorothe and I enjoyed Ken's and Mary Ellen's company at IEEE social events.
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Ron Lucas posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
For more photos check out his other obituary site at:
https://everloved.com/life-of/kenneth-laker/obituary/
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Mary Ward-Callan posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
I was so saddened to hear about Ken's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Ellen and his whole family. I am sure that God is holding Ken in the palm of his hand!
As a clear memory - I will never forget the trip to India that we all took - getting stuck due to weather, buying clothes for all of us in India so we could get to the next meeting when our luggage was lost, and the many trips to the airport to get our luggage finally released. It was a jammed packed trip but full of special memories of wonderful people. May we all remember the good times.
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Carlson Lau posted a condolence
Monday, August 7, 2023
Professor Laker had a profound impact on my undergraduate life at Penn. He is smart, quick to laugh and always open to chatting with his students. I am forever grateful for his kind mentorship and for the opportunities he has given to me. May he rest in peace _/|\_
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Tom Brunner uploaded photo(s)
Monday, August 7, 2023
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My buddy for life and beyond! We did the Caymans, Steeler games, Steelers training camps, lunches and more together and had the best of times. You will always be in my thoughts and fun stories. God to you and your family.
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Sung Mo Steve Kang posted a condolence
Sunday, August 6, 2023
I am very saddened to learn that Ken suddenly passed away a few days ago. We have worked closely for IEEE Circuits and Systems Society and also for AT&T Bell Labs. Ken was a brilliant engineer, professor, IEEE leader, and positive thinker.
In fact, I have been preparing a highlight of Ken's contributions as part of celebrating 75 years of IEEE Circuits and Systems
Society for which he has served as president, and later as president of 400,000 member IEEE.
Ken will be dearly missed. Deep Condolences to Mary Ellen and his family members,
Sung-Mo Steve Kang
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Jan Van der Spiegel lit a candle
Sunday, August 6, 2023
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Ken was a mentor, colleague, and good friend. I have known Ken since he joined the University of Pennsylvania over 30 years ago. He greatly impacted my career, for which I am ever grateful. He had a great heart and was always willing to help out. I remember spending time with him and his lovely wife, Mary Ellen. These are fond memories. He will leave a big hole behind, but his impact on many students' careers, colleagues, and friends will last forever.
Ken, you will be missed.
Jan Van der Spiegel
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"Li'l Normie" Elias uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 6, 2023
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I had the good fortune of meeting Ken and Mary Ellen in the fall of 1968 just months after their wedding. We were both studying for a PhD at NYU under the guidance of the same faculty adviser. Ken's infectious friendliness was as evident then as ever. During those years I watched Ken mature from a young inquisitive student to a confident, astute proeessional. A few years later we were both working at Bell Labs where Ken's skills quickly earned him a coveted promotion to management. He would have continued to rise through the coporate hierarchy had he not accepted an appointment to the faculty of U. Penn. Every new faculty appointment I've seen compels the Prof. to struggle for years to gain tenure - with only one exception. Ken's reputation earned him an invitation to join the EE department as a tenured Chairman of the Department with an endowed chair! You don't achieve that without a well-deserved reputation. The same holds true for a person who gets elected IEEE President as a write-in candidate! And none of these accomplishments made a dent in Ken's open, humble, warm and friendly personality. He and Mary Ellen have been friends whenever we've needed friends. Who else would invite us to visit with our special needs son saying, "Come. Bring him and stay as long as you like." It was a wonderful visit this past May and a special treat to see Ken in such great spirits. We'll rmember him as he looked in the picture attached that I took on May 22, 2023. Rest in peace dear friend! May your memory always be for a blessing.
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Winslow Sargeant posted a condolence
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Ken was an outstanding leader and great story teller. His leadership at IEEE, Aanetcom, UPenn, and many other places have benefited tremendously from his Vision. Rest easy my friend. You are forever missed.
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Ron Lucas uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 6, 2023
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Kenny and Mary Ellen.
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Ron Lucas uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 6, 2023
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Manhattan College '68 AFROTC class photos.
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Patti Laker uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 6, 2023
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How I have love listening to your many stories and adventures from all your many trips that you and Mary Ellen had gone on. May you rest in the arms of your mom and Rich and know that I will be missing you always .
Love your sister in law
Patti
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Ron Lucas posted a condolence
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Kenny and I met at Manhattan College in 1964. Manhattan had the habit of arranging classes alphabetically, thus Laker, Lucas, Lyons, McKnight and McManamy would be next to each other in most classes. To survive freshman year in the Engineering school we formed a study group that met at my parents' house, nearby on Cannon Place. My mother loved all of them, but I think she was most fond of Kenny, because of his sweet personality. Manhattan also had the habit of having long gaps between classes for freshman. So our study group would also meet at the nearby bar and grill between classes. Via this study group we formed life long kinships and kept in touch after graduation, even though four of us went into the USAF. Sadly John Lyons passed away in June and now Kenny in August. Both will be sorely missed, but we'll always have fond memories of them.
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Ron Lucas uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, August 5, 2023
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John, Mary Ellen, Kenny and Ron.
Ron, Kenny and John.
My mother and Kenny on Cannon Place in the Bronx.
My mother, Kenny and Mary Ellen on Cannon Place in the Bronx.
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The family of Kenneth R. Laker uploaded a photo
Saturday, August 5, 2023
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