Kenneth "Ken" William Sullivan

Ken is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kathy, daughters, Lindsay (Kevin) and Stephanie (John), grandson, Owen, mother-in-law, Marjorie Carnell and sister-in-law, Carole Sims (Rob). Ken is also survived by sisters, Betty Stevenson (Dale), Dorothy Edmonds (Jim), Barb Thompson (Harold), Lois Punkari, and brother, Don Keatley (Sue) and their families. Ken was pre-deceased by his adopted mother and father, Mamie and Edward (Ted) Keatley.

Ken was born in Port Arthur, Ontario where he spent most of his formative years (between Port Arthur and Dorion, Ontario). He worked in the mines and then was trained in small motor repair and went to work for the Suttie family.

In 1974 Ken and Kathy moved to Nanaimo after Kathy was offered a teaching job. Ken worked at the Nanaimo Golf Club and then moved on to Solar Electric, School District 68, and Honda Motorcycle Shop.

Ken loved his motorcycles, woodworking, pool and scotch. Many people have his works of art around their homes. He used his knowledge of small motors to keep many friends’ lawnmowers, saws, boat engines etc. running well past guaranteed lifetimes.

Family and friends were especially important to Ken and he was able to maintain those friendships until the end. Ken took great pleasure in his only grandson, Owen, and enjoyed hearing stories about his adventures, talking to him on Facetime and seeing him in person. Recently Ken met his granddog (Moose) and was happy to see the pleasure he brought to Lindsay and Kevin.

The family would like to thank all the professionals who helped Ken hold back cancer for ten years – he was a fighter! Thanks to Doctors Carlson, Bland, Calvin, Rauw, Alexander and Layer, palliative nurse, Dawn, and community nurses, Jill and Joe for his care. Thank you also to the wonderful care aides whose care at home was invaluable.

Special thanks to friends, Tom Grant, Pat Hurst, Max and Nicole Hurren, Steve and Sharon Austin and Doug and Noreen Martin, who were there at a moments notice and helped Ken keep his spirits up. Our family will be forever grateful for your caring.

A Celebration of Ken’s life will be held at the Kin Hut, Departure Bay on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 to 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.