Kenneth Robert Eddy

Curious, listener, provider, mentor, leader, communicator, coach, educator, giver of time (and a blanket), peacekeeper, determined, punctual (to a fault – yes, you can arrive too early), cribbage master, amateur photographer, no quit attitude, cheerleader (sans pom poms), philanthropist, and a lover of people, life and four legged friends.

Kenneth Robert Eddy, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on October 7, 2023 at the age of 78 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Ken will be dearly missed by his wife of 56 years Carole (nee Gammon), his inconsolable triumvirate of sons, Michael (Lori), Steven (Kimberley) and Peter (Iona), a quintet of heartbroken grandchildren Ashlyn, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Isla and Moira, a treble of devoted siblings Ann Melville (Robert), Donald and Chesley (Doris), numerous nieces and nephews, and countless cousins, friends, and business associates scattered across Canada and the world.

Kenny was born March 18, 1945 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, the second child of Glendon and Jean Eddy (nee Willis). Boy Scouts, cadets, and sports (especially hockey on the outdoor rink at the Big House) were integral parts of Dad’s youth. Graduating from Bathurst High in 1963 and Mount Allison in 1967, education was paramount and he was a lifelong learner. A book of any genre was never far from his grasp whether it be a finance textbook, biography, non-fiction, fiction, or mystery… maybe not horror, that would’ve scared him right out of his pants.

When not spending time with his loving family, Kenneth was all business (ok, sometimes he was conducting business when with his loving family, but don’t tell him we knew) and talking anything business was always a desired topic. Strategy, operations, mergers and acquisitions, sales volume, inventory turns, gross margin, value investing and dividends, were always bandied about and would put a sparkle in his eye. He started his working life at the age of 16 taking on various roles with the family business; a carpenter’s apprentice, railcar receiver, roofer, “pilot” and log scaler at the lumber yards, outside sales, collections, and paymaster were only some of the positions he took on in the summers and when not in school.

After graduating from Mount Allison, KRE spent 25 years as a banker with Central Guaranty Trust rising to the role of Senior Vice President Branch Operations. From 1998 to 2002, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the NSAHO Pension Plan and returned to that organization from 2004 to 2005 to act as interim CEO. And, he spent 30 years as Chairman of the Board of Eddy Group Limited, our 128 year old family business which he cared about immensely.

Ken-Dog’s yearly summer pilgrimage to the North Shore of New Brunswick and his beloved Youghall Beach was the highlight of his calendar. Salmon fishing, the epic battle between “The Dirty Shirts and The Never Sweats”, lobster boils, swimming in the rough seas, sand castle building, bonfires, fireworks, walks on the beach with Carole, watching electrical storms roll in over the bay, stone skipping, beach glass finding, distance running, golfing (his swing was more of a vicious attack on the golf ball rather than anything approaching graceful), strolling on the sandbars, catching up with old friends and classmates and most importantly family visits.

An ardent supporter of the arts, Grampy found joy in an AC/DC concert, yet also knew every word to Les Misérables (a show he’d seen no less than 11 times). He loved the Bond film franchise, yet quoted Shakespeare regularly (the ‘All the World’s a Stage’ monologue from ‘As You Like It’ being his favourite). He and Nanny travelled the world experiencing different foods, cultures, religions, and art and loved to share the stories of what they saw and learned.

A dedicated philanthropist, Dad served on the board of, and was involved in, many charities that became an integral part of his community. Among the noble causes that he eagerly gave time to and supported were Ronald McDonald House, IWK Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

As per the Chairman’s final wishes (which serve to highlight his humility) there will be no funeral service, reception, grandiose celebration of life, or final send off, but we are comforted by the fact that “He’s not really gone, as long as we remember him”.

The head of our table will forever be left vacant but we are filled with memories, and pride of the life he chose to live, the people he inspired and the lives that he touched along the way. A jack of all trades from a bygone era of generalists (happily ‘ensconced’ in a specialized world), we will not meet another man like him.

Please consider making a donation to any of the very important charities that Ken held closest to his heart or a charity of your choice.

“Concentrate and perfect yourself, and you will break through the barriers.” Kōji Gushiken