1942
Kenneth
2020
Kenneth J. House
May 18, 1942 — April 15, 2020
Kenneth J. House passed away on April 15, 2020 at the Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center in Chatham, NJ.
Ken was born in Elizabeth NJ on May 18, 1942 to Berton and Louise (Buhr) House. He grew up in South Bound Brook where he inherited his love of flying from his dad. With money earned from his Courier News paper route, Ken bicycled to Somerset Airport to take flying lessons. At age sixteen he earned his solo license. Ken enjoyed years of instructing and mentoring flight students at Somerset Airport, many going on to professional aviation careers.
After obtaining his commercial license he worked at Princeton Airport, often taking local residents to the New York area airports. He was so proud when he was accepted to flight school for Eastern Airlines in July 1966. Some of Ken's most memorable trips were flying cross country in a Boeing 757, at the time, the newest most sophisticated airliner in the sky. Ken flew with Eastern for 25 years, until a 1990 strike signaled the end of the airline. Saddened, but not deterred, Ken and other pilots founded KIWI Airlines in 1991. After KIWI, Ken flew Captain for Spirit Airlines. He was privileged to fly corporate jets, and later become an instructor for professional corporate pilots at CAE in Whippany, where he cherished many wonderful friendships. He instructed at CAE for 12 years, retiring in 2019. Ken was always grateful to remain in the aviation industry he loved.
Ken served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve, and was a proud long time member of Ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen, an aviation club of pilots established in 1921, where he often served in the role of Keyman. As a member of REPA (Retired Eastern Pilots Association) Ken enjoyed life long friendships with former crew members, attending luncheons to recall 'I was there' stories. Ken was a member in good standing of the Cookie Monster club, and never met a cookie he didn't love.
Ken was pre-deceased by his parents and mother-in-law Angelina Martis. Ken is survived by his devoted wife Joyce and his three daughters and their spouses: Megan and Carolyn Cosden-Zak; Melissa and Sergei Dolukhanov; Michelle and Chris Fannell; beloved grandson Luke Cosden-Zak .. His sister and brother-in-law Linda and Robert Barth, and brother James. Father-in-law George Martis and brother-in-law David Martis. Ken is sincerely missed by his beloved dachshund Rosie.
If you wish to honor Ken's memory, a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN would be appreciated. A memorial service to honor Ken's life will be held at a later date.
The House family wishes to sincerely thank and acknowledge Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center, where he resided in the last season of his life. The kind nurses, doctors and staff who provided warm and loving care to Ken in his last year of life will forever be in our hearts. Thank you.
Ken was born in Elizabeth NJ on May 18, 1942 to Berton and Louise (Buhr) House. He grew up in South Bound Brook where he inherited his love of flying from his dad. With money earned from his Courier News paper route, Ken bicycled to Somerset Airport to take flying lessons. At age sixteen he earned his solo license. Ken enjoyed years of instructing and mentoring flight students at Somerset Airport, many going on to professional aviation careers.
After obtaining his commercial license he worked at Princeton Airport, often taking local residents to the New York area airports. He was so proud when he was accepted to flight school for Eastern Airlines in July 1966. Some of Ken's most memorable trips were flying cross country in a Boeing 757, at the time, the newest most sophisticated airliner in the sky. Ken flew with Eastern for 25 years, until a 1990 strike signaled the end of the airline. Saddened, but not deterred, Ken and other pilots founded KIWI Airlines in 1991. After KIWI, Ken flew Captain for Spirit Airlines. He was privileged to fly corporate jets, and later become an instructor for professional corporate pilots at CAE in Whippany, where he cherished many wonderful friendships. He instructed at CAE for 12 years, retiring in 2019. Ken was always grateful to remain in the aviation industry he loved.
Ken served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve, and was a proud long time member of Ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen, an aviation club of pilots established in 1921, where he often served in the role of Keyman. As a member of REPA (Retired Eastern Pilots Association) Ken enjoyed life long friendships with former crew members, attending luncheons to recall 'I was there' stories. Ken was a member in good standing of the Cookie Monster club, and never met a cookie he didn't love.
Ken was pre-deceased by his parents and mother-in-law Angelina Martis. Ken is survived by his devoted wife Joyce and his three daughters and their spouses: Megan and Carolyn Cosden-Zak; Melissa and Sergei Dolukhanov; Michelle and Chris Fannell; beloved grandson Luke Cosden-Zak .. His sister and brother-in-law Linda and Robert Barth, and brother James. Father-in-law George Martis and brother-in-law David Martis. Ken is sincerely missed by his beloved dachshund Rosie.
If you wish to honor Ken's memory, a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN would be appreciated. A memorial service to honor Ken's life will be held at a later date.
The House family wishes to sincerely thank and acknowledge Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center, where he resided in the last season of his life. The kind nurses, doctors and staff who provided warm and loving care to Ken in his last year of life will forever be in our hearts. Thank you.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth J. House, please visit our flower store.
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