Kenneth M. Weinig, 82

RUMNEY — Kenneth “Ken” M. Weinig, 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 24, 2025, at home.

Ken was born on July 13, 1943, in Mineola, New York, the son of the late Anton F. Weinig and Virginia (Trefethen) Weinig. He was raised in Hempstead (Long Island), New York, until 1952, and later in Wilmington, and Newark, Delaware. He enjoyed growing up in the Chestnut Hill Estates neighborhood in Newark, and had many fond memories of his friends from that era. After his family returned to the New York City area in mid-1960, he finished high school at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, but was an honorary member of (and enjoyed attending reunions with) the Newark High School class of 1961. He held degrees from Manhattan College (B.A., 1965), Fordham University (M.A., 1966), and the University of Delaware (Ed.D., 1994), with additional certifications from Hunter College in New York.

After putting himself through college and graduate school with jobs at various A&P stores in the Bronx — the source of many memorable tales told by him and his brother Larry — and in the U.S. Postal Service, Ken began his long career in education by teaching English (with a special love for grammar) at Cardinal Hayes (1966-70). He returned to Delaware in 1970, to teach English at Newark High School (1970-78). Ken then became the founding headmaster of the Independence School in 1978, serving in that position for 25 years. He was an educator to his core, and was gratified to have taught and mentored students at all grade levels in parochial, public, and private schools.

A devout Catholic, Ken faithfully attended Masses in the Latin Rite. He cherished his church communities in Delaware, and New Hampshire. He also participated in the Boy Scouts of America as both a scout and later as a parent leader.

Amidst his joys of "Pop-pop jokes" and puns, movies of many genres, collecting old comics (notably "Uncle Scrooge" and "Walt Disney's Comics and Stories" by Carl Barks, as well as "Classics Illustrated"), reading, keeping himself (and others) informed, and sweets, Ken was particularly proud of the work he put into his incomparable collection of 19th and early 20th century toys — especially Erector sets, of which he was understood to have one of, if not the largest collections ever assembled, and which he impressively displayed in a small museum in his home. He was a past president of the A.C. Gilbert Heritage Society (which preserves, promotes, and interprets the legacy of educational toys produced and sold by the A.C. Gilbert Company of New Haven, Connecticut, such as Erector sets) and recently received its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ken was also quite the do-it-yourselfer. His many home projects included finishing basements and building a screen porch. He also enjoyed the outdoors, and once received an award from Delaware's Division of Parks and Recreation for outstanding service at White Clay Creek State Park. His greatest love, though, was of course his family, and in later years, many beloved dogs.

Ken is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kathleen (Darnall) Weinig; four children, Gregory J. Weinig (Elizabeth) of Wilmington, Delaware, Emily K. Loot (Brian) of Steubenville, Ohio, Julia B. O'Brien (Jonathan) of Laconia, and Elizabeth J. Desmond (Rory) of Wilmington, Massachusetts; brother Lawrence J. Weinig (Theresa) of Ellicott City, Maryland; 21 grandchildren, Henry, Lucy, Nathaniel, Theodore, Matthias, Josephine, Thaddeus, Gabriel, Simona, Gemma, Christopher, Grace, Felicity, James, Richard, Frederick, Margaret, Augustine, Charles, Samuel and William; and two nephews and their families.

A calling hour will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 500 Morrill St., Gilford.

A requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at the church.

Burial will follow the Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Gilford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Delaware Right to Life, P.O. Box 1222, Wilmington, DE 19899; or New Hampshire Right to Life, P.O. Box 421, Merrimack, NH 03054.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia,  is assisting the amily with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.