Kenneth Spicocchi

KENNETH CHARLES SPICOCCHI, born on July 8, 1936, passed away at home surrounded by his family on July 26th, 2021 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Ken will always be known for his love of family, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and enduring passion for volunteer work. He was preceded in death by parents Elizabeth Lakatosh Spicocchi and John Spicocchi from Cleveland, Ohio; granddaughter Christina Adkins and grandson Christopher Padilla. 

 Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Catherine (Cay) Taylor Spicocchi; his brother Raymond Spicochi and sister Elaine Palmer. Children, Kenneth D. Spicocchi, Randolph Spicocchi, Laura Adkins, Debora Padilla, and John Spicochi. Grandchildren Tony Spicochi, Nick Spicochi, Kendall Spicochi, Melissa (Missi) Adkins Carmen, Michael Adkins, Kevin Padilla and April Padilla Rosen. Great grandchildren Alecia Spicochi, Jaxon Spicochi, Jayden Spicochi, Isys Padilla, Jonah Padilla, Mia Padilla, Evelyn Adkins, Olivia Carmen, and Elliott Adkins.

 Ken grew up in Cleveland & Seven Hills where he attended John Adams High School and graduated from Parma Senior High in 1955. With a knack for mechanical & technical engineering, he attended Max S. Hayes Trade School in Cleveland, where he obtained a Certificate as a Tool and Die Maker.

Ken and his family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in February 1960 for a job with Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL), where he remained until 1962 when he transitioned to a law enforcement role with the Los Alamos Police Department.  While there he served as Captain of the LAPD Pistol Team, competing against other Police and Sheriffs Departments and the State Police in competitive shooting, where they won numerous awards.

In 1969 he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and enjoyed guiding others to the word of God. He remained with LAPD until 1972 when he returned to LASL as a Machinist, then as a Technician for the Weapons Division. In 1976 he obtained an Instrumentation Engineering Technology Associates Degree from Northern New Mexico Community College.  He then assisted in geothermal testing with the Geology Division where he designed and fabricated advanced fixtures used in ground tests.  In 1976, while still with the labs, he was elected Sheriff of Los Alamos County serving in that role for 2 years.

In 1980 he took a position with ITT Canon in Phoenix, Arizona as a Manufacturing Engineer.  After a brief stay in Phoenix, he returned to LASL as a Mechanical-Electro Optical Technician with the Weapons Division, where he designed, fabricated and installed fixtures used for tests, and was a co-author of several laboratory publications on research experiments.

In 1988 he received his Ministerial Credentials as an Ordained Minister through International Bible Institute & Seminary, and maintained a close relationship with Jesus Christ, serving and witnessing throughout his life’s journey.

At age 57 he obtained his Private Pilot’s license for single engine planes and became a Captain with the Civil Air Patrol in Los Alamos and Santa Fe, where he flew many border patrol sorties. In 1993, after 25 years with Los Alamos National Lab, he “semi-retired” and he and Cay moved to El Dorado near Santa Fe.

Continuing his passion for community service he joined the El Dorado Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in 1994 as a firefighter, where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant and became an EMT-Basic. Ken also served as a member of the Wild Land Fire Team and obtained the rank of Engine Boss responding to wild-land fires throughout the Southwestern United States.  He also worked at the Pecos Valley Medical Center in Pecos, New Mexico, where he responded to Medical Calls with the Pecos Valley Ambulance Service. In 2007 he joined the Galisteo Fire and Rescue Department where he was elected to the rank of Training Captain and continued responding as an EMT and fire fighter.  He truly enjoyed his 15 years with the Fire Departments.

 Ken and Cay journeyed throughout the U.S., Canada and Italy to research the Spicocchi family genealogical history. During this time he was able to reconnect with members of his extended family in Ascoli Pacino, Italy. Service will be held August 5th at 2pm at Rivera Mortuary, 417 East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, N.M., a Family viewing will be held at Noon, followed by a Public viewing at 1pm.  The family has requested in lieu of flowers donations be made to Prostate Cancer Research Institute (www.pcri.org).