Kenneth G. Bouchard

October 11, 1945 - November 27, 2017

Portsmouth - Kenneth George Bouchard, 72, of Portsmouth, NH, passed away on November 27, 2017, surrounded by loving family and friends and the caring staff at Evolve Senior Living in Rye, after living with Alzheimer’s disease for many years. Despite the challenges of living with Alzheimer’s, Ken’s strong drive and determination carried through to his last breath. He never let the disease define his life. He was a warrior while on this journey and helped thousands of people in the Alzheimer’s community. To learn more about Ken’s legacy of activism, watch Honoring Ken. Ken was born in Central Falls, Rhode Island. He was raised in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and graduated from North Attleboro High School. Ken was blessed with a towering intellect, earning a full scholarship to Tufts University to study physics and mathematics. From there, he went to Yale University to study engineering and applied science. Only then did his interests turn to the law, graduating from Boston College Law School. While Ken was known for his illustrious law career, his talents extended far beyond the law. Before attending Boston College, his work at Raytheon in several engineering positions resulted in a patent and the publishing of several technical papers. Later, while attending Boston College Law School, he was an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Bentley University, where he was able to share his love of math with hundreds of students. This love and enjoyment of math and teaching never faded, and many family car rides were spent laughing and parsing through complex word problems of his own invention. The name Ken Bouchard is well known in the New Hampshire legal community. It became synonymous with zealous advocacy and ensuring he fully understood the facts of his clients’ cases down to the smallest detail. With his educational capital and his natural perspicacity, he was a formidable opponent in the court room. No case was too tough for Ken, and he welcomed taking on lawsuits against the largest companies, represented by the largest law firms. He loved the role of underdog and thrived on representing the proverbial little guy. Ken endeared himself to juries and impressed judges with his unique ability to simply and plainly demonstrate the application of sometimes complex legal principles to the facts of each case he handled. Ken was an invaluable resource—the “go-to-guy”—for the younger lawyers who sought his advice on handling complex legal problems. He also found the time to be a mentor, whether over morning coffee, a lunch meeting, or after office hours. Ken knew that a good balance was also important for healthy morale in the office. If he expected people to work hard, he also encouraged them to play hard too, regularly scheduling office outings for staff members and end-of-year parties that were famous for their cutthroat Yankee swaps. He is fondly remembered by his law partners from Bouchard, Kleinman & Wright, Paul Kleinman and Nicholas Wright, as a brilliant lawyer, a caring business partner, a quick-witted and witty friend and as someone who they will always remember and cherish for his contributions to the law firm and their understanding of the law. Ken married his “wifey,” Brenda, on Valentine’s Day more than 30 years ago. He lovingly called her SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) and lived out the saying “Happy Wife, Happy Life.” They were true partners in every way, sharing each of life’s moments with love, laughter and resolve. They loved to travel, run on the beach and craft tomato sauce from his famously delicious garden tomatoes. It was with Brenda that Ken was able to live out his dream of living at the beach — turning an unfinished house into a family home, where countless family holidays and gatherings have left his family with indelible heartwarming memories. Ken was always the glue that even his beloved “Goo-Gone” could not un-stick. He was known for persuading the most reluctant of family members to attend the famous Bouchard family gatherings. He built strong bonds with his children by sharing with them his love of puzzle making, playing board games, bocce on the beach, Pente, Elvis Presley, fishing, skiing and organizing tomatoes from his garden by color. He cherished the time he spent with his kids. He was overwhelmingly proud of them and their accomplishments, and showered them with love. Ken was a true renaissance man. He loved life and added vibrancy to everything he did. He was the original “Mr. Letter to the Editor,” submitting letters on everything from his passionate political views to what he saw as injustices in the world. With what seemed like endless energy, he enjoyed tending his vegetable and flower gardens, skiing challenging terrain, cattle driving and barrel racing out west, woodworking, golfing, home improvement, riding his tractor, computer programming and nail-biting Celtics games. He was fanatical about energy efficiency and an early adopter of new technologies, even receiving a grant from the Department of Energy for a new wood furnace design. He installed solar panels and a geothermal system well before anyone else was doing it. Ken was the adoring husband of Brenda Bouchard; loving and proud father of his four children: Lara DuBois and her husband Stephen, Jeremy Bouchard, Zachary Bouchard and his wife Katie Mae Simpson, and Briana Bouchard; fun-loving Pop of Molly and Samantha Dubois, Sawyer and Sasha Bouchard, and Maple and Asher Bouchard-Simpson; little brother of Paula Mason and her husband Nathan; jokester brother-in-law of Mary Bouchard and Laurie Bouchard; adoring son-in-law of Cecile Balevre; supportive brother(-in-law) of Sally Pantaliere and her husband Richie; close mentor to Tyler Drinkwater and several nieces, nephews and cousins; devoted son of the late Paul J. and Mary (Palmisciano) Bouchard; little brother of the late Robert, Daniel and Paul Bouchard. A special thank you to the best memory care community around, Evolve Senior Living at Rye. Their loving, caring, talented and knowledgeable staff enriched Ken’s life in ways we never could have anticipated or hoped for. Thank you to the MA-NH Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for their support, education, care consultations and 24/7 helpline. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Celebration Honoring Ken on Sunday, December 3, 2017, at 1:00 pm at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, 250 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH. Casual attire – Ken’s preferred style. Complimentary parking is available to self park in the Sheraton's gated parking lot on Russell Street. The lot is located directly across from the Sheraton's main entrance. Guests will need to take a ticket to pull into the lot. Parking passes will be available inside the Sheraton that will allow guests to exit the lot. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts in memory of Kenneth Bouchard be sent to the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter. Donations can be made Online or a check can be sent to The Alzheimer's Association, 166 S River Road #210, Bedford NH 03110.