Kenneth S. Hood

Kenneth Spencer Hood, loving husband of Sharon Kirwin, passed away on April 18, 2026. Ken left this world peacefully, surrounded by his family after a graceful and courageous 18 year battle with prostate cancer.

Born and raised in Dorchester, Ken was cherished by all who knew him. Son of the late Leo Lovell Hood, Jr. and Jessie Eleanor (Sweenie) Hood, Ken grew up in the St. Mark’s neighborhood of Dorchester, moving to Lowell in 2002, where he and Sharon began a beautiful life together.

Ken graced the halls of St. Mark’s Elementary and Christopher Columbus High School, later attending Boston State College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Ken’s 38 year career with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was impactful and far-reaching, particularly in the area of child support enforcement. With the Department of Welfare and the Department of Revenue, Ken served as a liaison to the Massachusetts Trial Court system. He rose through the ranks as a social worker, supervisor, and ultimately, manager of the Child Support Services Division, where he was instrumental in establishing the systems that automated management of child support enforcement cases in Massachusetts. Ken was steadfast in his commitment to the core values of the child support enforcement program, and admired for his advocacy on behalf of children, and the colleagues and staff of the Child Support Services Division who worked alongside him.

From an early age, Ken’s siblings referred to him as “Sparky” because of the obvious spark of light and love that he brought to all those around him. Ken spent his years proving that the best things in life weren’t things at all. He never took for granted the beauty of a sunset, or a new bud on the plants and flowers he grew and nurtured. Ken had a flare for making everything in life beautiful and vibrant. He had the innate gift of always astonishing us with his ability to turn the simplest of items into some elaborate and always perfect holiday decoration. On any given day you would find Ken puttering in the garden, reading a book, walking his dog, or marveling at the blues and pinks of a late afternoon sky.

Ken loved spending time with his family and friends - whether it was Fourths of July in Falmouth, listening to his brother-in-law, Jim play the saxophone on the deck overlooking Long Island Sound, being among the first to grace the dance floor at a family gathering, or entertaining family and friends on long sunny days beside his backyard pool.

In addition to his wife Sharon, Ken is survived by his daughters, Maggie Hood and Jessica Hood of Lowell, and Emily Hood and her husband, Brian MacIsaac of Dorchester; his grandchildren, Alexis Hood and Colin Richardson; his great-grandson, Antonio Hood; his siblings, Sr. Carol Hood of Dorchester, Judith Hood of Northville, Michigan, Nancy Menelik of Milton, Marilyn (Mimi) Hood Dayhuff and her husband, Bill of Bozeman, Montana, Malcolm and his wife, Susan of Dorchester; his sister-in-law Judith Kirwin Williams and her husband, James of Waterford, Connecticut, and his sister-in-law Donna Kirwin of Lowell; and his life-long friend, Sr. Louise Kearns of Dorchester, along with many nieces and nephews. Ken also leaves behind his beloved dog Winston “Winnie” Hood.

Besides his parents, Ken was predeceased by his brothers, Leo and Robert; sister, Patrice Marie; brother-in-law, Nicholas Menelick; and sisters-in-law, Marci and Joan.

Relatives and friends are invited to Ken’s Memorial Visitation on Friday, April 24, from 3 until 6 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 11 AM in the Immaculate Conception Church. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s name may be made to ACLU at:

action.aclu.org