William “Kenny” Kenneth Foss

William “Kenny” Kenneth Foss, of Matlacha, departed this world on Feb. 6, one day after he celebrated his 82nd birthday. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Union College and was a well-respected Optical Engineer. He is recognized in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. as a member of the team responsible for the first pictures of Earth, showing the curvature of the globe. Throughout his life, he tackled his employment with the same enthusiasm he had for life. He worked for large international firms as well as GE, Fairchild Camera and Perkin Elmer to name a few, and founded his own companies as Connecticut Engineering and Instrument Corporation and Harbor Industrial. These jobs took him around the world many times, with stays in Vietnam during the war, and five years in Ending, Germany with his family.

Ken was well-known as the bridge tender for the Matlacha Bridge, a place of employment he enjoyed and loved after he retired from corporate life and the ‘north.’ May a day was passed on the bridge with visits from friends and neighbors. Shrimp boats and pleasure boats were cheerfully received with the bridge opened to their passage.

He was an avid and respected sailor who placed several times in the Bermuda Race including a first in class. Ken was a founder of both the Matlacha Yacht Club and the Cruising Club of New England. He served both clubs as Commodore and helped to navigate them into successful organizations. He was also a member of the Greater Pine Island Elks and the Sons of Norway. He was a beloved character at Bert’s Bar where he loved to meet friends old and new.

Ken is survived by his mother Astrid Mascoe; sister Elaine Doherty Clancy, widow of Fred Clancy; daughter, Debbie and her husband Rick Farrell; son Peter and his wife Mimi Foss; grandchildren, Rebecca, Kelly and Sean Farrell and Parker Foss.

Services will be private. Ken celebrated life and we will always remember all the good times.

Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1630 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral.