Ken was a beloved husband to Louise; father to Pat (Helen), Dave (Joanne) and Arlene (John Milligan) and grandfather to Emilia Stills (Riley), Michael, Matthew (Sophia), Sarah and Mei Anne.
Ken and Louise met on a blind date and were married in 1960. They became proud parents to three children and would later welcome five grandchildren into the family. He was known by all for his immense pride for his family, his infectious sense of humour and razor sharp wit. His deep life-long faith provided both he and Louise great comfort in this final leg of his journey.
Ken was born and raised in north Toronto near his beloved Sherwood Park. He began his working career in accounting and advertising. He returned to university and graduated with an Honours degree in English and Latin in 1963 and went on to a successful thirty-two year teaching career as an English Department Head and counsellor.
During Ken’s teaching career he found time to coach all of his kids in hockey and baseball and initiated a support group at Rapport House for parents of troubled teenagers. When they settled in Guelph in 2001, he founded the Guelph seniors golf group that eventually grew to over 300 members, as well as writing a column for the Guelph Mercury, extolling the virtues of seniors in the community. He was the past president of the Cardiac Fitness Association, a past Grand Knight for Knights of Columbus and sat on the Board of Directors for the Evergreen Association. He was the author of seven books including two novels, a book of short stories and poetry and four children’s books.
The family would like to thank Bayshore Home Care and Hospice Wellington, which provided such great comfort and compassion for the whole family. Donations can be made to Hospice Wellington, St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph’s or Michael House Guelph.
Visitations will take place on Thursday, April 03 at Gilbert and McIntyre & Son Funeral Home at 1099 Gordon Street in Guelph from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held the following day, Friday, April 04 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 409 Paisley Road, Guelph, followed by lunch and reception in the church.
