Heaven welcomes a faithful friend in Kenneth "Boogaloo" Waite

John Kenneth Waite was born on May 18, 1945 to Rosalie Stoker and Bernard Waite in Key West, Florida. He and his wife of 58 years, Lillian (Haskins) Waite met as teenagers at a Halloween party.  He graduated from Key West High School in 1963. He moved to Miami for a brief period where he earned his Journeyman's Plumbing license and later his Master's. Kenneth retired from Monroe County Public Works as a plumber. While retired, he continued to work testing backflow preventers for Haskins' Plumbing, Sub-Zero and Robert's Plumbing bringing his career full circle.  He enjoyed fishing with his brother Richard Stoker and mentoring his late great nephew Marcus Arce with Robert's plumbing.  Kenneth was a true conch with salt water running through his veins.  Kenneth was known for his big heart. He was always there to help selflessly to anyone in need.  He pledged his faith to the Lord when he received his Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at St. Mary's Basilica with his sponsor and best friend Danny Kolhage. He was a masterful plumber and taught many the trade. He was always a phone call away for anyone in need. He was preceded in death by his father Bernard Waite, his mother Rosalie Aritas Stoker, his sister Vera Stoker, his two brothers Curtis (Ruth) Waite and Bernard (Carol) Waite, his uncle James Aritas, his brother-in-law Henry(Linda) Haskins, his brother-in-law Emil (Ida)Roberts, his niece Wendy Waite.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lillian.  His children Lori (Tony) Skiles and Kenny (Gloria) Waite. His grandchildren A.J. (Kim) Skiles, Wesley (Sydney) Skiles, J.W. (Brittney) Waite, Chelsea (Robert) Mitchell, and Amanda Waite. His Great-Grandchildren Aurora and Adalynn Skiles, Janelle, Lilliana, Luna and Griffey Waite, Leo and Maverick Mitchell.  His brother Richard Stoker and two sisters Hilda and Linda Stoker.  His nephews Lowell and Stuart Waite, his great nephews Jacob and Miles. As well as his many relatives to include Haskins, Herce, and Barroso families along with friends who were considered family.  Visitation will be held at Dean Lopez Funeral Home on Thursday, January 11th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with 4:00-5:00 p.m. being reserved for family only. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's Basilica on Truman at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 13th with a burial service at Key West cemetery immediately following the mass.In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Mary Immaculate High School.