Plastics materials veteran Kenneth Cary Jr. died on Aug. 6 at age 83.
During a 55-year career, Cary founded two companies, Cary Chemicals and Cary Compounds LLC. Officials with Cary Compounds said Cary followed his father's footsteps in PVC compounding when he founded Cary Chemicals in Edison, N.J., in 1966.
Cary Chemicals later merged with Canadian firm Synergistics Industries. Cary retired from Synergistics in 1995 and launched PVC compounder Cary Compounds in Manalpan, N.J., in 1999. He retired from that business in March.
Officials said that during Cary's career, he "established a reputation as a respected leader and highly successful compounder." They added that Cary was a devoted husband and father.
"He loved his family, partying with his friends from the Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club — of which he is a past commodore — fishing, boating, his dogs, playing his Johnny Smith guitar, his sports cars and a good drink on his veranda or in the cockpit of his boat at sunset," they said.
"He was larger than life to many, and his sense of humor was well known. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him," they added. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Ken have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. One of Ken's greatest achievements was the inception and continued success of Cary Compounds, and as a company we are committed to seeing his legacy flourish."
Cary is survived by his wife of 35 years, Deborah, his sons Kenny, Philip (Melanie), Cameron, Charles, and Michael (Christina), as well as his step-daughters Leslie Anna and Dewy Willey Powell, his 14 grandchildren and a great granddaughter. He was predeceased by his wife Elena DeRosa Cary and his siblings, Margot Brangi and John Cary.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.