SALEM — Christopher Kent, formerly of Marblehead, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at the Hospice of the North Shore after succumbing to a courageous battle with cancer. He was 66.

Chris was born in Salem on Dec. 7, 1943, the son of the late Vincent S. and Dacre W. Kent. He was educated in the Marblehead public schools and graduated from Marblehead High School in 1961. He served in the Peace Corps before joining the U.S. Navy. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at Salem State College, where he graduated with a BA in English in 1969. As a student there, he was active as the editor of the Salem State College student newspaper, The Log. Following college, he was employed as a middle school teacher in Newburyport, then as a shipwright at Cloutman's Boat Yard in Marblehead. He then went on to work for the City of Salem in the Department of Public Works. His career path then led to his position as the northeast sales manager with Metron-Farnier, which allowed for him to travel throughout the eastern United States and Canada.

Chris also managed the Angels and the Royals as a loving father, in the Salem Senior Little League during the 1990s. He was a master sailor, having learned the ways of the sea from his childhood in Marblehead. For years he was an avid sailor in the BYC Wednesday night races; most recently onboard the "Menage A Trois." Chris and his beloved wife Carol chartered yachts in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Land and sea travel included Greece, Ireland, Germany, France and to nearby hidden gems onboard his boats; the HARR and most current the THUMPAH. He was a prolific reader, known for his keen wit and political savvy, as well as for his warm hospitality.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carol (Wensel) Kent of Salem, formerly of Eau Claire, Wis.; his sons, Alexander and his wife Kristin (Sundberg) Kent of Belmont and Nicholas Kent of Boston; his brother, Peter and his wife Elizabeth Kent of Marblehead; his nieces, grandnephews and grandniece, and countless dear friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. At the request of the family, there will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, 01923 MA; your local NPR station; or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, ATTN: Contribution Services. For online gusetbook or additional information, please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.