Kenneth “Ken” S. Fallon, Jr.
Kenneth Stephen Fallon Jr, age 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, after a courageous hard-fought battle with COVID-19, #Fcovid. He was a lifelong resident of Mansfield, and as a young child, he also lived in Austria, Germany for 2 years.
Born in Boston on March 20, 1947, he was the eldest child of the late Kenneth and Virginia (Runci) Fallon. His youth was spent on the fields and courts in town with his brothers Kevin and Keith. Ken “Red” was a 1965 graduate of Mansfield High School and a standout athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He was later inducted into the Mansfield High School Hall of Fame for football in 2005.
After the untimely passing of his father, he began working early on in life at the Donut Kettle in Foxboro to help support the family. Subsequently, he received a degree in accounting from Burdett College. In 1977, he went on to work at the Foxboro Company where he met his devoted and loving wife of 42 years, Maryellen (Gardner). His professional career brought him to Waters Corporation/Millipore in Milford as a production and inventory control analyst, until he retired at the age of 62.
He was so passionate about sports that quite often you would find him on a field coaching, officiating or cheering on his favorite teams. For nearly 50 years, he served as a high school football official in the state of Massachusetts, serving on the Massachusetts Independent Football Officials Association (MIFOA) and the Southeastern Massachusetts Football Officials Association (SMFOA) boards. In 2015, he was honored by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston with the William Stewart Award as the Outstanding High School Football Official of the year. He had such devotion to the sport of football, that he loved waking up Thanksgiving morning with his bag packed and ready to go to officiate some of the oldest and biggest high school rivalries in the state of Massachusetts. Ken met many of his lifelong friends on the football field, whether they were in stripes, on the sideline or even in uniform. He has been referred to “as somewhat of an officiating legend in our area.”
In 1990, Ken was co-founder of the Mansfield Girls Youth Softball League. He served as President for many years and also coached several of Mansfield’s finest female athletes. He went on to assist his daughter, Kate, at Franklin High School for many seasons, influencing the lives of student athletes.
He savored a good meal and watching the Patriots or Red Sox on TV surrounded by friends, family and his favorite dog Emma Louise. In conversation with friends, he was quick with advice and always had time to listen. Ken and his son Kenny were members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #2633 in Mansfield, where you would often find him enjoying a stiff drink or two with his family and fellow cronies or at the Mandarin in Foxboro.
Ken is survived by his wife, Maryellen (Gardner), his children Kenny III of Mansfield, Kate Fallon-Comeau and her trophy husband Chris Comeau of Norton, his loyal brothers, Kevin Fallon and his wife Jean of Mansfield, and Keith Fallon and his wife Lee of Saint Augustine, FL. He is also survived by his furry companion Emma Louise, his furry grand-dogs, Bella Fallon and Anna Felicia Comeau and his two grandchildren Christopher Comeau and Zoey Laur, as well as many nieces and nephews. As a friendly reminder our family puts the F-U-N in funeral! Please join in a “parting glass” and celebrate his life the way Ken would have wanted.
Visiting Hours will be at Boston Cremation (formerly Bolea Funeral Home), 115 North Main Street, Mansfield on Tuesday, April 27th from 3-7 PM. Please be mindful of the COVID restrictions: 25 people allowed in the building at one time, we are asking guests to please pay their respects and exit so all have an opportunity to do so. We thank you for your cooperation during this time.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street, Mansfield on Wednesday, April 28th at 11 AM, followed by interment at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Mansfield. All attendees are required to adhere to COVID protocol, wearing masks and abiding by social distancing guidelines. The funeral will be live streamed at https://stmarymans.org for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Kenneth Fallon Jr, to Boston Med Flight, 150 .Hanscom Drive, Bedford, MA 01730, www.BostonMedFlight.org.
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You are all in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry
Condolences to the Fallon family.
Haven’t met anyone more positive, giving, and sincere than Kenny, both as a person and as a football official where I new him best.
Doug Davenport
Deepest sympathies to the Fallon family. Kenny was truly someone who loved his family and was very proud off little Kenny and Kate. He was a great football official who went out of his way to help other officials improve. I am proud to have had him as a mentor.
Deepest sympathy to all
Prayerfully
So sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Y’all have been such great friends and neighbors, Ken will be missed by so many.
Big Ken (as we affectionately called him in the hood) was almost always out front with a welcoming wave when you walked by. The wave would turn into a warm visit filled with laughs.
He was such an inspiring and kind father to little Kenny and so much fun with Kate! We missed you when you moved and we miss you even more now. Thanks for driving by with the shark on your roof on the way to Jimmy and giving us a good laugh. Mary Ellen, Kate,Emma and Zoey – our thoughts and love are with you always.
Never met you but knew just how special you where.
Terry Benoit
What a great man he was. Such a sports buff. Always with a smile on his face. Thinking of you all and sending all my love.
Love,
Lorraine
All of us at the Mansfield Deli, and Regent friends will miss Kenny dearly. May God Bless his family and friends in this very trying time.
Kevin & Keith, Sorry for the loss of your brother. He was a great guy. He refereed many of my games as a Pop Warner Coach.
May he R.I.P.
So very sorry to hear this news! Ken was a wonderful man and he will be missed. My condolences to the Fallon Family. Rest In Peace
A nicer gentleman I have ever known He was a gentle giant with a golden heart. May he no peace and that he was greatly respected and loved by so many of his fellow Hornets
Kevin and Keith,, I am so sorry to hear of this sad news…my deepest condolences to the Fallon family for their loss.
Ken’s picture and write up was just terrific, he was quite a man and will surely be missed.
Prayers to your family.
I will always have a special place in my heart for Ken. Mary Ellen and Ken opened their home up to Dominick (my son) to live there when he played hockey. Ken never missed a game of Dom’s. May God bless Ken and keeping his family in prayer.
A truly great sports ambassador for the town of Mansfield. And someone with a heart as big as his hometown.
Condolences to the entire Fallon family. Always a great conversation when Big Ken and Little Ken came into the store. Wish you could be at Kates first KP game, but I think you will have a sky box view.
To the Fallon Family,
Ken was an inspiration to all , myself met him at a young age ,during football games as a referee. Where ever you may have bumped into him ,he was upbeat and a cheerful hello , the town of Mansfield will miss him , we all will.
God bless
I remember how nice you and your brothers were to me and my siblings as your neighbors in our home time…condolences to your entire family..may you Rest In Peace
So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. Pat and I thoughts and prayers are with the whole Fallon family. Good man, good friend, good family. Town of Mansfield has lost one of its truly outstanding sons. He will be missed.
Dear Maryellen and family,
We wish to extend our sincere condolences and sadness during this horrific time. I remember every time Ken came into Solo to visit you he always had a big smile and a warm and friendly greeting for everyone. He certainly was such a gentle giant. RIP Ken.
Kenny and Family, so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a wonderful man, whose love and dedication to his family was exhibited in all he did. A great man, who will surely be missed by all those that knew him.
Maryellen and family,
So sorry to hear this news. Kenny will always be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, and loving person. He was a very special friend and a good role model for everyone to follow. My first memories of him are when he umped my little league games. He will be missed by all.
Rest in Peace.
Jim and Mo McLaughlin
So sorry to hear of the passing of Ken. I remember when I was a young official just starting out Ken took me under his wing and taught me the ropes.I will always remember him as one of the nicest and kindest people I have ever met.
Dear Maryellen and family,
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. My friend, classmate, teammate, my left tackle who kept me upright. Respected and loved by all.
Rest in peace.
Fred & Carol Vallett
Kevin and family So sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. His obituary describes an exceptional man. Sending prayer Marybeth Cabana
To Mrs Fallon Kate and my good friend Kenny,i am deeply sorry for your lost. My thoughts also goes to the entire family.I would like to thank you for being so good to me and my family. You are a true American exception.
Your loss and pain are also mine.May God have mercy on his soul,may He give strength and comfort to the family in this terrible moment.
Love
Innocent Amadi and family.
My condolences to the Fallon Family. So very sorry for your loss.
I send my sincere condolences to Kate and the Fallon family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May Ken Rest In Peace.
Wonderful husband and father…his spirit will live on in your hearts!! Love and warm hugs to a special family…
Ken was truly an exceptional father, husband, and member of the community. He always had a smile on his face and welcomed people into his world. Please accept my deepest condolences on this tragic loss. My heart goes out to Maryellen, Kenny, and Kate. The world has lost one of it’s best.
Our sincere condolences to the Fallon family. Ken was a great friend and townie. His devotion to the Mansfield community will never be forgotten…
My condolences to the Fallon family. Ken was a great mentor and friend to me an and inspirational voice to me in developing me into my officiating career. God rest his soul. He touched so many people by his presence.
He will be greatly missed
The Fallon family. I was deeply saddened to learn of Kenny’s passing. More than once on the gridiron, Kenny sternly put me in my place and after all was said and done, he was always correct. So diligent and well versed in his profession, he was most proud of his family with Kenny jr by his side and the accomplishments of Kate. Rest assured that his teachings and legacy will live on reflected in the lives of all of you. Thoughts and prayers, Jack Martinelli, Foxboro Football
Dear Maryellen,
I am so sorry go hear about your loss.
Yaniv
My deepest sympathies to Maryellen and all the Fallon family.
Kenny was a one of the finest men I have ever met, I looked up to Kenny,
We did have some good times at the Foxboro company , work and softball.
He will be missed, it really is an honor to call Kenny my Friend!
We love you Ken!
Rest In Peace
!
My sincere condolences to everyone who loved Ken. He was tough and fair on the football field and funny and kind off of it. A man I greatly respected.
Mark Mortarelli
Maryellen, Kenny, Kate, Chris and Emma,
So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers your way. My first thought when Kens name is mentioned is that he was always smiling, kind and he loved his family so much. Love to you all.
My sisters and I worked with Kenny at the Donut Kettle back in the 60s. He was so much fun and a real hard worker. I ran into him off and on after that. He never changed. He was always such a good guy. I am so sorry for your loss.
What fun we had as teenagers working at the Donut Kettle in the 1960’s, and Kenny was a huge part of that fun! My sisters and I have many fond memories of Kenny from that time. I’m very sorry that you have lost this wonderful man.
Rest in peace, Kenny.
The Fallon Family,
Mr. Fallon was a staple in Mansfield youth sports and an all around great guy. I have fond memories of post-game laughs at the Regent and Mandarin with him and his referee buddies. He will surely be missed.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers ~ We all will miss him ~ God Bless ~Billy & Deb Barrows
In my 40 yrs as a Mansfield resident, no one stands as tall nor as memorable as Ken Fallon. Always smiling and warm to all, I remember him as a great father and neighbor. Keep him alive in your thoughts by keeping memories of his goodness.
Kate, Chris and family..
We are so very sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers to you all!
Love, The Couto Fmaily
Sincerest condolences from Darrell and Susan Benson.
We will all miss the big guy!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill Sullivan
Maryellen, Kenny, Kate & the entire Fallon family, please accept my sincere condolences on the the loss of your devoted husband, father & brother. Ken was such an upbeat person. Our community will miss him on many levels.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. My condolences.
RIP Kenny. Thank you for your mentorship and friendship. You’ve impacted many lives over the years. You will be sorely missed.
Sending our deepest condolences xoxo
I’m so sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss he will be missed.
My condolences to the Fallon family. Ken was truly a great guy and someone I had great respect and he will be missed. Mitchel Seifert
Heart felt condolences to you all. ❤️ May your many happy memories bring you some peace.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. So very sorry
Our deepest condolences. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Bob and Jules Hindman
So sorry
Big Kenny will be missed by all that knew him. ❤️
Dear Maryellen, Kate, and Kenny and Kevin, Jeanne, and Ashley,
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Ken…Larger than life and forever one of the nicest and most generous guys I know, Ken was a true friend in every sense of the word… may he rest in eternal peace and may his example inspire all who knew him…
He was one of the best! He will be missed!
We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Fallon will be missed and remembered by many ❤️
“I’m sorry for your loss” doesn’t really cover it. ‘Dad’ was an amazing man who touched so many hearts. He was always one to help, a shoulder to pout on, and one for laughs. The world is a darker place without him and he will be greatly missed.
We have such wonderful “softball memories”…….Ken and Bob coaching Kate and Missy in their early softball days!! Ken was such a warm, kind and giving man…..and lots of fun!! He’ll be missed so very much!
Bob and Kathy Davidson
So sorry for your loss. I hope all your happy memories and his big smile comfort you in these difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ken was one of the nicest guys at Waters. I worked with him for many years. The only guy that loved to do booth set-up. My thoughts go out to the family.
I have so many fun memories of Kenny. Back in the day at Waters he always made me laugh and was instrumental with the success of their tradeshows. Kenny, you made such an impression on so many. Fly high friend and when you order that drink in heaven, order 2! ❤️❤️