Skyhawks mentor served on coaching staff for 17 years, including last 12 as its head coach
Obituary and Service Arrangement
EASTON, Mass. (May 5, 2021) – Stonehill College is saddened by the passing of head softball coach and Brockton Police Lieutenant Ken LeGrice after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ken, and our thoughts are with his entire family at this very difficult time," said Dean O'Keefe, '94, Director of Athletics at the College. "Words cannot begin to express the significant impact Ken has had on so many in the Stonehill community during his 17 years with us as a coach, and his contributions to Stonehill and the Brockton community will forever be felt and remembered. Ken served our student-athletes as a teacher, a mentor and a friend, and his steadfast commitment to their success both on and off the field is part of what made him such a special person. Our hearts go out to Ken's family, our current and former student-athletes who were fortunate to have the opportunity to call him Coach, and all those who were touched by Ken's life."
In addition to serving 34 years for the Brockton Police Department, including recent years as Lieutenant, LeGrice was a member of the Stonehill softball coaching staff for 17 years, including the last 12 as its head coach. He guided the Skyhawks to a program-record 197 wins and six Northeast-10 Conference Tournament appearances. Stonehill won 20-plus games on six occasions, including 25 in 2013 and a 21-win mark in 2015 when the Skyhawks reached the semifinal round of the NE10 Tournament.
"Ken was such a trusted and valued friend to so many here at the College," said Fr. John Denning, C.S.C., President of Stonehill. "He guided countless students toward success on and off the softball field. His dedication to public service will continue to inspire the hearts and minds of his players and the Stonehill community for years to come.
The Stonehill softball team was presented with the athletic department's Community Service Award in 2019 for its work with Strikeout Cancer. LeGrice coached 21 All-NE10 selections, including five first team picks, and saw five freshmen earn NE10 All-Rookie Team accolades over his tenure as head coach.
Prior to joining the coaching staff at Stonehill, LeGrice was an assistant coach at Medfield High School and was a member of the coaching staff at Brockton High School, helping the Boxers to the 2000 Massachusetts Division I State Championship.
He is survived by his wife Angela, his children Shannon, Katie, Ken Jr., James and Benjamin, his grandchildren Liam, Cora, McKenna, Willow and Luke, his siblings, Debbie Combest, Douglas LeGrice, Robert LeGrice, George LeGrice and Doreen O'Donnell, many nieces and nephews, his BPD brothers and sisters, and his hundreds of softball daughters.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul on Tuesday, May 11 in Saint Edith Stein Parish, 71 East Main Street, Brockton, Massachusetts, at 11:00 AM. Private cremation will follow. Calling hours will be held in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 441 South Main Street, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, on Monday from 2 PM-7 PM with a Police Walk-Through at 5 PM.
