Kenneth J. Assad Jr., of Plymouth and formerly a longtime resident of Franklin, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Plymouth. He was 60 years old.
A true Franklin love story, Kenny met his beloved wife, Mary Ellen Assad (McCarthy), at the Franklin Ice Rink through his lifelong love of hockey, where Mary was working as a Zamboni driver. Together, they built a beautiful life and were the devoted parents of their two children, Kelsey and Adam Assad.
Born in Worcester, MA on October 21, 1965, Kenny was the son of the late Kenneth J. Assad and Jacqueline (Weagle) Assad. He was raised in Franklin, where he lived for nearly 59 years and built a life deeply rooted in family, friendship, and community. A proud graduate of Franklin High School, Class of 1983, Kenny forever cemented his place in Franklin sports history when he scored the infamous overtime, game-winning goal at the Boston Garden in 1983, securing Franklin High’s first-ever boys hockey state championship.
Following high school, Kenny spent many years working in the warehouse and distribution field before returning to Wrentham to work alongside his longtime childhood best friend, Jimmy Loughlin, at Loughlin Electric. Loyalty, commitment, and friendship defined every chapter of Kenny’s life.
Hockey was not just a passion for Kenny, it was who he was. As both a player and coach, he became a respected and beloved figure throughout the local hockey community. Kenny spent over a decade as an assistant coach with the Franklin High boys hockey program before going on to lead the King Philip girls hockey team beginning in 2019, where he was proudly “#AllIn,” a phrase that became synonymous with his dedication to the program and its players. Under his leadership, the Warriors captured the program’s first-ever Hockomock League title. He also coached in the Franklin summer league system, mentoring countless young athletes. In 2016, Kenny experienced one of his proudest moments when he served as an assistant coach during the Division 1 state championship game at TD Garden, a thrilling 4-3 victory over St. Mary’s—sharing the ice with his son, Adam.
Above all else, Kenny will be remembered as a devoted father, loving husband, loyal brother, and dedicated coach. His greatest joy came from his family. In recent years, Kenny and Mary moved to their retirement home in Plymouth, where he found happiness strolling through Plymouth Center and soaking up the sun at Long Beach with those he loved most. He cherished time spent with Mary, his daughter Kelsey and her boyfriend, Charles Morris, and with his son Adam and his girlfriend, Jamie Imbrogna, embracing them fully as part of his family and loving them as if they were his own children.
Kenny’s 60th birthday was recently celebrated surrounded by family and friends from near and far, a moment that perfectly captured his life and the love he inspired. As his family proudly shared, they truly “#HTL (Hit the Lottery)” to have had him. Kenny’s legacy of love, leadership, loyalty, and community will live on in the countless lives he touched, both on and off the ice.
In addition to his wife and children, Kenny is survived by his sister, Jane (Assad) Borkowski, and her husband, Michael Borkowski; his brother, Brian Assad, and his wife, Pia (Kunzig) Assad; and many nieces and nephews whom he adored.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, December, 26 at the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. from 3-8 PM and the Funeral Mass will be Saturday, December, 27 at 10 AM at St Mary's Parish 1 Church Square, Franklin. stmarysfranklin.org
In lieu of flowers, and in loving memory of Kenny, donations may be made to Friends of KPHS Hockey, P.O. Box 111, Wrentham, MA 02093. Donations may also be made via Venmo at @FriendsofKPHockey. Friends of KP Girls Hockey is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID:46-2808712).
Guestbook www.franklinfuneral.com