EASTHAMPTON - Kenneth David Morey of 108 Everett Street, Easthampton, Massachusetts, died at the age of 88 on May 16, 2013 surrounded by his children. Born December 13, 1924 in Easthampton, Ken began studying piano at the age of 3. He was educated at Sacred Heart School in Easthampton, graduated from Easthampton High School in 1942 and studied music arranging at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. While there, Ken played as a substitute musician with many Boston area big bands. Ken was drafted into the U.S. Army in the spring of 1943 and took basic training at Camp Croft, Spartanburg, South Carolina. During World War II he served as a bazooka man with the 3rd Infantry Division at Anzio, the liberation of Rome, and he participated in the invasion of Southern France, to the German border at Strasbourg. After the war he served with USFET Special Service in Frankfurt, Germany. Ken's extensive musical career included playing trumpet and piano with area bands as well as his own band, the Ken Morey Orchestra. In 1958 he started Tempo Music Service, a successful music arranging business. Over a span of 50 years he composed many original songs and hand wrote over 80,000 sheets of music arrangements which were sold to bands across the country. Through his arranging he became well known throughout the music industry. In 1991, Ken joined the Heritage Society Band, a five-piece polka band based in Easthampton. Five years later Ken took over as conductor and arranger (the "Lone Arranger" as he called himself) for the band, expanded its repertoire and membership and renamed it the Heritage Pops Orchestra. He considered this the pinnacle of his musical career. When he wasn't playing or arranging music, Ken enjoyed spending time with his family at Pine Island Lake in Westhampton. He also enjoyed trips to the ocean and would take in summertime concerts whenever he could. Ken was predeceased by his parents Victoria (Rusin) and David Paul Morey. He is survived by his son Paul Morey of Easthampton, son David Morey and his wife Elizabeth Gnatek-Morey of Durham, North Carolina, daughter Marguerite Rock and her husband Bernard of Easthampton, daughter Maryanne Banks and her husband Richard of Ithaca, New York, former wife Constance R. Morey, grandchildren Gary and Heather Wuerth, Zachary Morey, Tiffany, Bobbi and Andrew Morey, great-grand-daughter Mikayla Rose and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff of The Overlook Northampton, VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson and Collective Home Care for their loving care and compassion. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon on June 14 at the Our Lady of the Valley Church, 33 Adams St. Easthampton, followed by burial with full military honors at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St. Agawam, MA. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ken Morey Music Scholarship Fund, c/o Easthampton Savings Bank, 36 Main St. Easthampton, MA 01027. Arrangements have been entrusted to Graham Funeral Home, 18 Adams St. Easthampton, MA.

[Published in The Springfield Republican from May 22 to May 23, 2013]

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EASTHAMPTON - A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Kenneth David Morey, of Easthampton, who died Thursday, May 16, 2013, is scheduled for Friday, June 14, at 12 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 33 Adams St., Easthampton.

Burial with Military Honors will be at 2 p.m. the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Following the burial, a continued celebration of Ken's life will be held at the American Legion Post #224, Pleasant Street, Easthampton.

The Graham Funeral Home in Easthampton has been entrusted with providing for Ken's services.

[Published in Daily Hampshire Gazette on June 11, 2013]