Dr. Rev. Kenneth P. Beres

Dr. Reverend Kenneth P. Beres, 51, of New Bedford, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at home. He was the husband of Monica (Calandra) Beres with whom he shared 20 years of marriage and loving dad to Amanda Beres.

Born and raised in Athens, Greece, he was the son of Reverend Kenneth D. Beres and Effie (Zika) Beres of Holland, MA. He lived in several locations throughout the United States before moving to Bristol, Rhode Island where he met his wife. They moved to New Bedford 11 years ago where Ken became Pastor of the First Congregational Church at Lunds Corner.

Ken was a graduate of Alton High School in Alton, Illinois, attended Monmouth College in Illinois, received his undergraduate and Master’s degree from the School of the Eagles in Tennessee and obtained his Doctorate in Theology from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida in 2008. While in high school and college, Ken served in the Civil Air Patrol and always had a fondness for the Marine Corps. At an early age, he obtained his pilot’s license and flew with his father.

Community outreach was near and dear to his heart, notably being a member of a clergy group that implemented the Ecumenical Lenten. He was a member of the Interchurch Council, a Chaplain at Seamen’s Bethel and St. Luke’s Hospital, often gave the benediction at City Council meetings and participated in the New Bedford Police Department’s Ride-Along Program. He very much enjoyed the Pastor’s Prayer Summit in Attleboro and the Pastor’s Silent Retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in New York.

In Ken’s leisure time, he enjoyed reading, writing poetry and creative stories and spending time in the backyard grilling almost anything. His specialty was barbecued ribs. Most of all, Ken loved the company of his family and friends who meant the world to him.

In your honor, Pastor Ken, Welcome Home! Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant.

Surviving in addition to his wife, daughter and parents are his close cousins, Maryann Starks, Donna Musler of Connecticut and Dina Maria Gisinger of Vienna, Austria ; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Ernest and Marie Calandra; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ernest and Jeannine Calandra; several nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 from 4:00-7:00pm in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 10:00am in the First Congregational Church at Lunds Corner, 2195 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pastor Ken’s memory may be made to the church. For online tributes please visit: www.rock-funeralhome.com