The son of Kenneth and Janet Proven Hourigan, Ken was born and reared in Cliffside Park. He graduated from Cliffside Park High School and then went on to graduate from Lehigh University. Before and after a two-year stint in the army, Ken worked at Price Waterhouse. He joined Young and Rubicam Advertising Agency in 1966, becoming CFO of Y&R International and traveled to Y&R offices around the world. He managed to deal with financial matters and countless challenges with patience, humor and wisdom. People loved his common-sense approach to solving problems. He would listen to a proposal, however outlandish, crinkle his eyes, and say , “What if we just……” After 20 years, Ken decided he had had enough of globe-trotting and commuting to NYC for work, and left Y&R. He became a Certified Financial Planner and began working with Sterling Financial Group in Sparta, NJ., which he did for the next 30 years. One of his former colleagues indicated that because of Ken's financial advice he was able to pay his bills even though he hadn't had a job for 27 years.
Ken was always devoted to family.. When his father died in 1961, Ken, at 24, became the head of his family, the beloved anchor, guide, counselor, advocate, nurturer, protector—which he remained for the rest of his life. In 1962 he met the love of his life, Patricia Modrys and they married in July 1964. For the next 60 years, Ken and Pat were the center of the Hourigan and Modrys clans. Their home was the center of hospitality and openness and love. Ken, brilliant, spirited and inquisitive, was an avid reader of all genres, particularly history and mysteries. He delighted in knowing and talking about the significant details and the fine points of politics and history. He enjoyed life, and had a great sense of humor. He had a special sensitivity and respect for people, a magic quality of knowing just when to offer practical advice or wise counsel, and when just to be there. He brought light to us all.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife Pat, his children Katherine Schneider and her husband Rich, Matthew Hourigan and his wife Maria, Michael Hourigan and his wife Regan, and his grandchildren, Ashley, Robert, Patrick, Grace, Liam, and Daniel, and by his siblings Katherine and James, and by scores of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Family Promise of Bergen County 100 Dayton Street Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or Meals on Wheels North Jersey 32 Pascack Rd., 2nd Floor, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677.
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