Obituary of Emory Bunting

Emory Kendall (Ken) Bunting, local artist and resident of Pembroke, MA, unexpectedly passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 in his home. He was born in Ft. Worth, TX on December 4, 1954, the son of John William Bunting and May Lawrence Showard Bunting. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, John William Bunting, Jr. He was a resident of Virginia most of his life, living in the suburbs of Washington D.C., the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and the city of Virginia Beach. Ken was a retiree of the Virginia Beach school system prior to moving to Pembroke in 2007 to reside at New England Village. Ken was a talented Contemporary / Abstract artist who exhibited his work in local exhibits and in the Plymouth Center for the Arts. He donated paintings to various groups and charities, including his favorite the Jimmy Fund. Ken was an enthusiastic employee of Stop & Shop in Pembroke, MA and enjoyed working with his fellow employees and helping many familiar customers. He participated in community and charity walks, the Special Olympics events in Pembroke, Kingston, and Boston, and was a member of the Kiwanis “Aktion Club” of Hanson and New England Village. He enjoyed swimming, playing basketball, bowling, and kick boxing. Ken was an avid saltwater fisherman. In earlier years he fished in the Chesapeake Bay waters with his father, John Bunting. In the past 20 years he fished with his best friend and brother in law, Gary and special friend, David Nolf both of Mystic, CT in the waters of CT, RI, and Long Island Sound. Ken played golf with Gary, enjoyed special family events, and was enthusiastic about domestic and international travel. Ken loved his art, the Red Sox, and the New England Patriots. Ken was a special person who enriched the lives of those who knew him. He is survived by his sister Frances B. Bennett and brother in law, Gary P. Bennett of Mystic, CT, his niece Christine Bennett of Eliot, ME, his nephew G. Paul Bennett, Jr and spouse Lani Bevacqua, grand nieces Stella, Cleo, and Jade Bennett of Philadelphia, and Savannah Magruder of Brooklyn, NY. He also leaves his cousins Deborah Hinton (John) of Murfreesboro, NC, Susan McCracken (Brian), and William Scholl (Jane) and second cousins, John and Michael Hinton, Sarah, Katy and Will McCracken, Jennifer and Matthew Scholl, and Laura Cappiello of Virginia Beach. A funeral service and burial will be held on Sunday, March 26th at 2:00 PM in the family cemetery in Chincoteague, VA. A memorial service and celebration of Ken’s life will take place at New England Village, 664 School St in Pembroke on Thursday, April 6th at 4:30. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to: Special Olympics, 512 Forest St, Marlborough, MA 01752, 800-380-3071. To offer condolences or for directions please visit www.shepherdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by the Shepherd Funeral Home, Kingston