Kenneth Frederick Happe, Ph.D, 78, of Winthrop Lane, died peacefully on Monday evening, June 24, 2013. He was born in New York City, July 6, 1934, the son of Rose (Walker) and Howard C. Happe, Sr. He is survived by his brother, Gregory R. Happe and his wife Julie of Houston, TX; nieces, Beverly Happe Forman and her husband Chet of Stamford, CT, Anne-Marie Happe of Atlanta, GA, Claudia Happe of Seattle, WA, Ellen Happe Phillips and her husband Terry of Houston, TX, Deirdre Happe Workman and her husband Tom of Windsor, CO and Monica Happe of Austin, TX. He is also survived by nine great nephews, one great niece, and one great-great nephew. He was preceded in death by his brother, Howard C. Happe, Jr.
     Ken graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1958 with a BA in the Classics and received his Doctorate Degree from Yale University, New Haven, CT, in 1963. Ken spent close to 50 years at Holy Cross, first as a transfer student from a Jesuit school to a full-time faculty member. Throughout the span of his teaching career, he taught Latin, Greek, the Classics, and staged over thirty theatrical productions before retiring in 2001. Ken was the drama critic at Worcester Magazine for over 20 years and also hosted a program for several years reviewing plays on local access cable television. Ken enjoyed a cache of Shakespearean plays and graciously hosted dozens of dinner parties at his home followed by select readings. In his later years, Ken hosted a series of informal gatherings which included the readings and works of Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, and Terence Rattigan. In his spare time, Ken would find any reason to host outdoor tea parties for his close friends and neighbors including the celebration of the spring equinox, summer solstice, and Bastille Day. His quick wit & generosity of spirit is a lasting legacy to his many friends.
     Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, June 27, and from 2 to 4 pm on Friday, June 28 at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Ken’s life will be held at 10 am on Saturday, June 29 at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. Interment will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Memorial donations may be made to College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610.