Kenneth Charles Haber

Kenneth Charles Haber passed away on March 12, 2022 at the age of 80, in his hometown of Metairie, LA. Kenny, as his many, many friends and family knew him, passed away after a brief illness. In a reflection of his strength of character and quiet courage, he faced this illness head-on. Despite his pain, Kenny came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Kenny is survived by the great loves of his life; his wife of 56 years, Judith Wessing, who he met while they were in fourth grade and again in high school; and his two daughters, Kristen Haber Philippi (Bruce) and Julie Haber Schiavo (Frank), who are both blessed with his bright eyes and easygoing smile.

The beloved son of Philip Barth Haber & Dorothy Cimerak Haber, Kenny was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. His childhood was a quiet and loving one. Being an only child, it was during his early years Kenny developed two of his lifelong passions, caring for dogs and treating everyone he met as a member of his extended family. In fact, Kenny always acted as if there were no strangers- only friends and family he hadn't met yet.

After his high school graduation from Cor Jesu High School in 1960, Kenny went on to volunteer and bravely serve in U.S. Navy Intelligence and Security while stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines during the Viet Nam war. While in the Navy he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Outstanding Sailor of the US Navy Security Group Activity Clark Air Force Base.

When his time in the military came to end, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Loyola University New Orleans and to work as an International Examiner for the Internal Revenue Service until he retired in 2003. Retirement didn’t stop Kenny from working; he became a volunteer at East Jefferson Hospital Cardiac Rehab and an usher at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Metairie. He also continued to help the people in his neighborhood in every capacity possible, from yard work and basic car maintenance to “doorstep” newspaper delivery and dog walking. His neighbors and daughters’ friends could always count on him to tell them when their Brake Tag expired or find a nail in their tire. The dog walking was an extra special treat for Kenny because he was such an avid animal lover, having countless rescue dogs as part of his family throughout his life.

Kenny’s other interests were many. He greatly enjoyed traveling to America’s National Parks, spending time driving and hiking through the mountains, forests, and desert vistas those trips provided. He also loved reading, following his beloved LSU athletic teams and New Orleans Saints, tennis, walking, driving his little red sports car on scenic and winding mountain roads, and of course, dogs. Kenny was someone who appreciated life and exemplified inner strength and great kindness. He was loved by his family, friends, coworkers, and fellow volunteers.

Services for Kenneth C. Haber will be Monday, March 21 at the Lake Lawn Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 12 noon with a Catholic Mass at 2:00pm at Lake Lawn. Interment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Masses or, as a reflection for Kenny’s love of dogs, donations to Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) or Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com