Kenneth R. Desautels, 85, of Worcester, died Sunday November 9, 2014 in UMASS – Memorial Medical Center.

He leaves two sons, Bruce C. Desautels of Nebraska; and Rev. Shane G. Desautels of Chicago, IL., two daughters, Kathleen M. Garson and Marlene L. Desautels both of Worcester; a grandson, Andre Haley of Connecticut; his former wife, Joan (Gamache) Desautels of Worcester; two brothers, Armand Desautels of Worcester and Edward Desautels of Holden and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by two brothers, Russell Desautels and Lawrence J. Desautels. He was born in Worcester, a son of Edgar and Loretta (Suprenault) Desautels and has lived here all of his life.

Mr. Desautels was a Conservation Technician and Paper & Book Conservator 38 years for the American Antiquarian Society and retired in 1993. During World War II he served with the Ground Observer Corps. He was a member of the Harmony Club and served on its Board of Directors and Historical Committee. He was also an Explorer Advisor at St. Casimir Church and was an Assistant Scoutmaster. Mr. Desautels was a longtime member of St. Joseph Church now Holy Family Parish. He was instrumental in the movement by parishioners to reopen the Church when it was closed in 1992. He also compiled and wrote the “History of St. Joseph Church 1820 – 1992” in conjunction with the St. Joseph History Committee.

Kenneth was an avid roller skater since he was a young man, he belonged to the Webster Square Arena, and he received several awards throughout the years. Among his many hobbies was stamp collecting, gardening and his Lionel Train set that he treasured and had so much fun setting up and playing with, especially at Christmas, he had the train setup under the Christmas tree. Kenneth made it his life work to complete the genealogy of the Desautels family which is now on line at www.desautelsfamily.com

The funeral will be held on Friday November 14, 2014 from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St., with a Mass at 11:00 A.M. in St. Joseph Church, 35 Hamilton St. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours in the funeral home are Thursday November 13, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Members of the Harmony Club will meet at 5:00 pm in the funeral home to conduct their ritual. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, Holy Family Parish, 5 Whitman Rd., Worcester, Ma., 01604.