Kenneth Ronald Wade, 89, entered eternal peace on December 9, 2025, at home surrounded by his devoted wife Mary Grace and son Tye.
Kenneth ‘Kenny’ was born on April 16, 1936, in Long Branch, NJ, the third of three children to Eva Julia Brown Wade and Andrew Jackson Wade. Kenny spent his early years growing up in Atlantic Highlands where he delighted in family gatherings including family reunions at his Uncle Charlie’s house and joyful Christmases at his Aunt Kate Vail’s home. Kenny often shared stories of these special times, reflecting his deep love for family. He excelled at archery, enjoyed hiking, and proudly earned his Eagle Scout badge. Kenny started out working at a neighborhood dry cleaner and served as a caddy at Beacon Hill Golf Course. As a young boy, he deeply cherished the time spent with his Great-Great Grandmother, Sarah Vail, who held a special place in his heart.
In 1953 he graduated from Middletown Township High School and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, continuing a family tradition of military service. He served honorably until 1957, attaining the rank of Airman First Class.
He married the late Gail Alleyne (Anderson) in 1961, becoming one of the first Black families to integrate into the Gables neighborhood. Together, they had a son, Mark Anthony Wade, and a daughter, Cheryl Gail Wade. Although they later divorced, they remained an important part of each other’s lives. In 1978, he married Mary Grace Weatherspoon and they were blessed with their son, Tye Kenneth Wade. Kenny’s greatest joy was being a loving husband to his wife and devoted father to his children, whom he cherished.
Entering the food industry in 1958, Kenny began his career as a produce clerk for the National Grocery Company, which eventually became part of the Foodarama organization overseeing several Shop-Rite locations. As one of the company’s first Black leaders, he became a health and beauty aids and non-foods specialist in 1963, advancing into nonfoods merchandising leadership positions until his retirement in 2001. Following his career in the grocery sector, Kenny worked for seven years at the Garden State Parkway (New Jersey Highway Authority) in the mailroom.
Kenny enjoyed traveling, cruises, and spending quality time with family and friends. He was passionate about cooking, savoring good food and beer, and was a loyal viewer of his favorite game show, “The Price Is Right.” Later in life he became an enthusiastic fan of college basketball, particularly the NCAA basketball tournament known as ‘March Madness.’ He treasured the experiences of traveling with his daughter to California and Washington DC, where they attended tournament games together. He was affiliated with American Legion Post 266 as a Member-At-Large and belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Neptune, NJ.
Kenny was predeceased by his parents and grandparents as well as his beloved siblings, sister/cousin Mary ‘Wally’ Daniels in 2017, sister Frances Keyes in 2021, and brother Robert Wade in 2023. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Mary Grace Wade; beloved children Mark A. Wade, Cheryl G. Wade and Tye K. Wade; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
