Ken Bordwell passed away on October 30, 2017 at his home in Cincinnati. We will especially miss his great good humor, his kindness and his passion for social justice and music. We send our condolences to his entire family, including his stepson, RPCV Christopher Morriss (Ecuador ’11 – ’13). Here is a letter from Ken’s wife, Mary Ann Curtiss, with details on his memorial service, Wednesday, November 22 at 10 am in the Undercroft of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati
Dearest friends!
Thank you again so much for all your support since Ken’s sudden death. It has made all the difference in the world. I know so many are out there for me, so many have sent encouragement, and so many have helped in large and small ways, as I was able to identify needs.
Ken’s memorial meeting will be at St. Peter in Chains Undercroft
8th and Plum St. Use the small 8th St entrance; there is another mass going on upstairs. Wednesday Nov. 22 (the day before Thanksgiving) 10 AM to noon. Chili and sandwiches will be available.
Ken’s obituary will be in Sunday’s (11/5/2017) Enquirer.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cincinnati/obituary.aspx?n=kenneth-bradley-bordwell&pid=187141016
I mainly remember Ken’s humor and steadfastness, along of course with the warmth of our personal relationship. I still feel he is with me–it’s going to be a process.
Your friend,
Mary Anne Curtiss
Ken’s Obituary is shown below:
Kenneth Bradley Bordwell, 75, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully from a heart attack on October 30, 2017 at his home in Cincinnati. Ken was born in Dayton, Ohio on February 1, 1942 to Dr. Bradley Hobart and Katherine Lucille Bordwell. Ken was a supporter of social and racial justice from boyhood. He became a volunteer with the Peace Corps and from 1966 to 1968 worked on literacy and community development in Brazil. Ken retired in 2002 after a long career as a community development worker for the City of Cincinnati. He was a 39-year active member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He attended New Thought Unity Center before joining the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); he was a valued member of Community Friends Meeting for 17 years. For years he lobbied for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Bread for the World, and Ohioans to Stop Executions. He served on the Boards of the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati and Over the Rhine Community Housing. For 20 years he has participated with The American Council of the Blind of Ohio, enjoying winter sports with people with visual impairment. Ken loved opera and was a member of the American Handel Society. He took up hiking 40 years ago, and on August 24, 2012 at 70 years of age he completed his goal of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. He also enjoyed bicycling and had a number of remarkable rides in the United States and Ireland. Ken is survived by his wife Mary Anne Curtiss; three daughters: Carolyn Rospierski of Houston TX (Charlie), Katherine Flenniken of Portland, OR (Greg) and Victoria Bordwell of Cincinnati (fiance James Coleman). He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Madeline, Daniel, Liam and Nora, and his sister Sue Ellen Bordwell of Yarmouth, Maine (partner Bill Richards), as well as three stepsons and two former wives, now friends. A memorial service will be held from 10 AM to 12 noon on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at the St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Undercroft in downtown Cincinnati (enter on 8th Street). Memorial donations may be made to the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati 30 W. Garfield Place Suite 730, Cincinnati OH 45202.
Published in The Cincinnati Enquirer on Nov. 5, 2017