Louis John Kazen, age 55, passed away at home on Friday, October 12, 2012, in the loving arms of his wife and with close friends. He was the husband of Jane Louise (Chopak) Kazen. Born in Fall River, Lou was the son of Florence (Camara) Kazen of Fall River, MA and the late Gilbert 'Gibby' Kazen.
A resident of Westport for twenty-five years, Lou worked as a salesman for most of his professional life and was employed by M. S. Walker Inc. for nearly 20 years. Lou was a self-made man and achieved his professional goals through hard work and ingenuity. He was awarded Salesman of the Year at M. S. Walker in 2000. Lou served briefly in the United States Army and was a member of the Westport Masonic Lodge.
Lou was an adventurer and an explorer. He loved to travel. He loved to explore new places and re-explore familiar vacation spots-many times places off the beaten track. Although Lou liked to travel, he also enjoyed summers at their home on East Beach with family, friends and their pet dogs. Lou loved to read and especially enjoyed historic non-fiction, biographies and autobiographies of historical figures, and philosophical readings. Lou was a history buff and was very knowledgeable of the historic details of the Civil War and the early exploration of North America. Lou was a devoted Patriots and Red Sox fan. Lou had very sophisticated tastes and was a "foodie" before it was a trend! Lou enjoyed life, his family, and friends.
In addition to his wife, Jane, and his mother, Florence, he is survived by two step-daughters: Jessica Sweet Gibb of Acushnet, MA, and Julia Ayers Gibb of New Bedford, MA; a brother: Joseph Kazen of Westport, MA; three sisters: Karen Paquette, Michelle Ventura and Judy Smith, all of Fall River, MA; a grandson: Jacob Ayers Maxwell of Rochester, MA and a granddaughter: Sophia Marie Perry of Acushnet, MA; aunts Candy Kazen and Bernie Huck and an uncle, Louis Kazen, all of Swansea, MA; two nieces, three nephews and many cousins. He was the brother of the late David Kazen. Arrangements with the Silva Faria Funeral Home were private. A celebration of Lou's life was held at his home on Saturday, November 10, 2012. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Louis J. Kazen to New Life Home for Women and Children or to Gastrointestinal Oncology Research at Massachusetts General Hospital. For donations to New Life Home, please mail checks payable to New Life Home, Post Office Box 148, Manchester, NH 03105, phone 603-624-8444, online www.newlifehome.org For Gastrointestinal Oncology Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, checks must be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital and can be mailed to: Gastrointestinal Oncology Research, c/o MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. Credit card donations are accepted by phone at 617-726-2200 or online at https://give.massgeneral.org