Kenneth P. Bakley, Jr, 71 of Huntley, died peacefully, November 18, 2020 with his family by his side.
Ken was born April 14, 1949 in Elgin, the son of Kenneth P “Timer” and Joan E. Bakley. He graduated from Huntley High School in 1967 and enlisted in the US Navy. Ken’s knowledge and experience in construction led him to become a seabee as a 3rd class petty officer serving in Okinawa from 1967-1969 building runways for B52 bombers. Following his time in the service Ken returned to Huntley to work with his father “Timer” to run Bakley Construction until his passing in 1986. At the age of 37 Ken continued to fulfill the vision he shared with his father.
Ken was wise, bold, fearless and a natural born thrill seeker learning to fly ultra lights, riding his Harley, traveling to the Florida Keys to scuba dive and fish. Traveling to the Amazon to catch Peacock Bass, experiencing Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, sailing with friends in the Caribbean, spending his off time in Costa Rica sport fishing and enjoying all the exotic wildlife. Ken enjoyed hunting with his son and spending time with his family. Ken was a kind man. Strong and unwavering, always took things head on and without hesitation would help anyone that needed him, his generosity was endless. Ken was a thinker with a vision for development just like his father and over the years worked very closely with the town of Huntley contributing to the growth of his community. His greatest passion was the gravel pit working with his son and several other family members. On any given day Ken could be found operating any machine from a backhoe to a loader, whatever it took to get the job done. His family is so very proud of the legacy Ken has left behind and will continue to work together in his honor.
He was the proud father of Kenneth Bakley, III, and Mathew Bakley. Loving grandpa to Autumn and Violet Bakley. He was blessed with his siblings, Kathleen P. Jensen (Carl Jensen, Sr.), Douglas C. Bakley, Cindy Jo Bakley (Randy Sikula), and Bernice A. Bakley (Tim Roberson). He was a cherished uncle to Carl Jr. (Katie), Michael (Nikki), Brittany, T.J., Noah, great “Uncle Dudley” to Elijah, and his loving care giver Lucy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his nephew Ronald Reh Jr.
Due to social distancing requirements in place with the COVID-19 pandemic, a drive through viewing/visitation will take place at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley on Saturday, November 28, 2020 from 11:00am until 4:00pm. All people paying their respects are always asked to remain in their cars while in line at the funeral home and follow the signage in the funeral home parking lot. A private family service will be held. Burial will be at Huntley Cemetery.
Ken was a lifelong member of the American Legion of Huntley and the First Congregational Church of Huntley; in lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the First Congregational Church of Huntley.
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or on line condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Kenny was my good friend, and such a great guy. I will miss him deeply, along with his great smile. My prayers are with the family, Kenny will be truly missed. Ken R.I.P.
Very sorry to hear about Kenny's passing, my sister Vicki and I have so many wonderful childhood memories with Kenny and Kathy. Kenny was a wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Great memories of Kenny over the years ,Hunting adventures and many laughs along the way, I will miss him .
Prayers to his family a great guy
Sorry to the Extended Bakley family for the loss of Ken. For years Ken and I would talk and I actually lived in his basement for a 6 months . Another of Huntleys finest.
My deepest condolences to the family. He was a great person. I know he will be missed.
I'm very sorry to hear about my great friend Kenny, I will miss him deeply, my prayers are with the family. I will truly missed him RIP..
My condolences to the Bakley family.
Sincere condolences to the Bakley family. Prayers and blessings.
Our prayers of peace for you all as you sorrow.
Ken's passing leaves a void not easily filled for all that knew him. His great family values were an integral part of his personality which spilled over to the community following in the footsteps of his father "Timer." His friends and business associates appreciated Ken's integrity, truthfulness, and straightforwardness! R.I.P.
To the entire Bakley family, their friends and relatives, I am deeply sorry for your loss. May you find the strength to heal. I have known Brittany for years and it’s evident how wonderful your family is.
It sounds like Kenny led his life to its fullest! My condolences and prayers of comfort for the family.
Started 1st grade with Ken. Remember swimming in the old gravel pit. And riding the pony. Worked with Ken a few times. A good man . Will be missed
i Remember the day i met you , I was at lunch with my friends and you sent over beverages for my friends except me i thought that was odd,so as i exited the restaurant I instructed the waitress to send a beverage to both your friends except for you, you followed me outside and we ended up laughing after that we became good friends,I grew to learn how sweet and kind you were, You let me run my dogs at your gravel pit I will always remember your Smile your laugh and your Kindness! I will miss you my friend. RIP
I remember Kenny as a friendly classmate who loved to laugh. He gave me my first ride on the back of a motorcycle. Scared the hell out of me. He played tricks on me in high school, but never mean-spirited. Always just for laughs. I saw Kenny and his dad as no-BS men. They valued action over talk. During the great snow storm of 1979-80, Timer had a contract to clear snow from state highways. He needed people to operate machines. Gary and Jim brought me along to work. Timer had no idea if I was up for the job, so he said "go out and get on that D-6 and show me you can run it". I had never run a Cat, but I'd seen people do it. I got on it and made some turns with confidence, and for the rest of that day I cleared snow by myself on that D-6 at the Railway Museum. For the following few weeks, Gary and Jim picked me up each morning at 5:AM to go out with the usual suspects for a twelve-hour shift clearing snow with loaders. I have cherished memories of those weeks. It was something totally different from anything I had done before or have done since. I was getting paid good money for doing something that I considered to be a total blast! As I recall, the usual suspects were Kenny, Jim, Gary, Rick Dietrick, who I believe got the record for ripping up the most guardrails. My apologies to those whom I've forgotten. I think Kenny led an enviable life.
To the family: I want to express my sympathy for the loss of your beloved father, uncle, and sibling. He was a man of Huntley! The history and growth of the Village came from the seeds laid by the original families who had a vision for expansion. I am so very sorry that you are experiencing this loss. Ronda Goldman
I remember Kenny very well. He was a very gregarious individual and had a great sense of humor! RIP Kenny
My condolences to the entire Bakley Family.
We will always cherish the laughter together and the times we shared becoming closes friends. miss you.
My condolences to the Bakley family. Fond memories of Ken growing up with Kenny and Mat.
For Kenny III enjoy the gravel pit has your father taught you I remember him showing us your bedroom full of rocks! Ken now you can really soar and fly over my house.
Kenny was a kind man who always treated us like new city people even though we lived in Huntley for decades. He was a great story teller and will be missed.
Remembering Someone Special. Never forgotten Always missed Forever Loved In memory and in celebration of someone who made this world a brighter and better place . R.I.P.
We first met Ken in Costa Rica in 2004. We quickly became friends and would meet him every year in Costa Rica. It was so easy to really enjoy Ken because he always made you feel like close friends and that you were the most important person to him. If there was anybody that was more kind the Ken we never met them! We wish his family all the best happiness and contentment.
I love you so much Uncle Dudley and I miss you with my whole heart.
Our heartfelt condolences to family prayers for everyone .
Kenny, I just keep thinking about our trips, sailing, Costa Rica, Exploring in a jeep TRYING to get lost, drinking wine on an Island, walking on to a beach in the Caribbean on a small island to the bar and it was a topless beach, and there was a girl from Woodstock there saw us and ran to the water, man we laughed our asses off, and most of all you were there for me, now WE are all here for you my great friend, there will never be someone like you, so rest easy my friend and we will see you later. HUGS Kenny
I was so sorry to hear that Ken had passed away. It was always a pleasure to stop at the office and visit with Ken about the business and our Disney trips. My sincere condolences to the Bakley family.
This going to be very difficult for me to write..Kenny was a childhood friend..we played together alot when we were younger..doing all sort of goofy ..daring and fun stuff..how we stayed out of trouble ...ill never know. Then we were classmates,till we graduated together in 1967. Later in life we connected again..Kenny would tell me story after story of all his travels and adventures. HOLY HORSES..that man told me stories that sounded like they came out of a story book. He was a true family man..they always came first... He knew so many people from Huntley and did so much for the town...he should have been the mayor... Kenny was a man who truly enjoyed life...and never left a day go by that he wasnt doing something . Or helping some one..a true gentleman. Happy to have known him. With sadness in my heart i can truly say ... I will miss you Kenny.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Bakley Family.
To the Bakley family of the death of their brother Kenneth Ken to most of us.In the years of knowing him while working for his mom Joan he was just a wonderful person i will surely miss him. May the Lord keep the family strong. Amen
To the Bakley family of the death of their brother Kenneth Ken to most of us.In the years of knowing him while working for his mom Joan he was just a wonderful person i will surely miss him. May the Lord keep the family strong. Amen