May 9, 1941 – January 2, 2025
We are so very sad to announce Ken's unexpected passing after complications of pneumonia weakened him in his last four days, then ended his life on earth.
Ken is survived and so missed by his loving wife of 42 years, Judy, and his beloved children Michell (McLean), Jennifer, and Daniel, three grandchildren – Myles, Melaina, and Brandon - and great-granddaughter Savannah. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren, loving and supportive with each of them. He was a caring, loving, husband with great sense of humour. He became even more special, a wonderful husband, in their last five years together.
Ken was born in Ontario, and moved to BC with his family by the age of 2, where they lived on a small farm beside Elk Lake near Victoria. Ken's childhood was one of exploration where he wandered every day he wasn't in school to fish and hunt small game, usually bringing home something for supper. He looked after more than 50 chickens on their farm and sold eggs to many customers from the age of 8 to earn extra money. When Ken was 9 he and his parents moved to California to live close to an uncle in Los Angeles and he spent grade 4 exploring the city with his new Latino friends, trying to avoid bullying students by escaping school many days. After a year of this he told his parents he was moving back to Elk Lake even if he had to go by himself. The timing was right and they all packed up within the week and drove back to Canada and their Elk Lake property. Ken's father started a very successful business in Victoria with family working at Rogers Welding Supplies. Ken and his parents continued to spend many weekends on their boat Jo-Mar, fishing and exploring the salt water world near Victoria, as they had been since moving from Ontario.
By age 14, Ken was riding his bike after school to Cordova Bay and his part-time job at McMorran's Grocery Store. He was saving his earnings to pay for further education as he had decided he wanted to be a Conservation Officer or a Teacher. Ken and his brother, Bert – 15 years older than Ken – helped their dad build an addition to their Elk Lake house. (His sister, Mabelle – 9 years older – at 18 had married an American Navy sailor she met when his ship came to Victoria and had moved to the US with him.)
At 15, Ken was enjoying attending Claremont High School in Victoria when his father suddenly died from a heart attack, a tragic loss for Ken as they were so close. He adored his father, a very fine man and a loving father who had enjoyed teaching Ken so much about life, as Ken was absorbing and learning everything he could from a young age. His father was his true hero, all Ken's life, and he often shared life stories about his dad. When Ken’s father passed away, his mother became the core of strength and caring for the family for the next 48 years.
Ken made his decision to become a teacher and enrolled at UBC (passing first year French by correspondence) then BCIT (for shop teacher education). At 23 he got his first teaching position at Lake Trail Junior Secondary School in Courtenay and loved it from the first day. He married and built a house, doing most of the work himself, including plumbing and electrical. Within a few years he had welcomed his two baby daughters into his life and became the best dad. His marriage ended and in 1977 he was offered a teaching job at Elphinstone Secondary School on the Sunshine Coast. He and his girls happily moved to their rented home and one afternoon Ken brought home a mischievous puppy, Toby, to be their pet.
In 1979 Ken took a summer trip to Greece and England, where he wanted to locate his great-grandmother's house in Durham. With the investigative help of some new friends he found the house - now the hotel where Ken was staying. Because of the long history of the house in Durham, Ken's new friends declared him an honorary Geordie!
When Ken returned to his job in September he met Judy who was secretary at Roberts Creek Elementary School where his girls attended. He went into the office to borrow use of the only school phone and she was very impressed with "what a good dad he was" in how he dealt with bullying happening to Michell on the school bus, using a polite but firm manner and stating exactly what happened, thus not allowing the same to happen again.
Ken and Judy began spending time together and fell in love. They married in April 1981. They built a house together, again Ken did all the electrical and plumbing and argued with building inspectors who disagreed with each other, while Judy did all the insulation of their three story house. Their son Daniel was born in December 1987, adding more joy to the family every day. Toby, the dog, sadly passed away in 1989. Bailey, a friendly golden retriever, joined the family in 1991, but was lost to cancer in early 1999.
Ken retired from the school district in 1999 beginning a very busy and happy life doing everything else he enjoyed so much. He was a fisherman, a hunter, a mushroom forager, a skier (with instructor rating), an archer, a traveller, a builder, a mechanic, a private pilot and aircraft owner, a yacht o (Jo-Mar II)wner (The Jo-Mar II) and captain, and a licensed Ham Radio Operator with access to many contacts in the world. He was an active member of the Chapman Creek Hatchery, Elphinstone Aero Club, Rimfire Group, and Sunshine Coast Rod & Gun Club where for more than 30 years he was a CORE instructor and examiner, donating his time and fees to the club. He was an active member of the Kinsmen as a younger man and later joined the Gibsons Rotary Club. He became an accomplished artist with his paintings and wood carving.
Ken's students were so important to him and he considered it an honour to be able to teach them, helping many to understand more about what their life paths could become.
Ken's family was most important to him and quality time was always valued and they experienced some every day together. In 2008, the family was joined by little Sadie, a joyous, loving puppy who brought more laughter and love to their home every day.
Ken was a good friend to many and almost every day enjoyed time spent on lunches and conversation together. Special thanks to trusted friends Linda and Peter W, Don McK, Silvio, Sam J, John J, Bruce L, and Joan T and Dick D for always enhancing his life with their friendship. He wanted and tried to do the same for them.
Ken was predeceased by his father Herbert (age 56), his mother Edith (age 99-1/2), his sister Mabelle (age 82), and his brother Bert (age 93). And Sadie, his little dog (age 17) on Sept 30, 2024.
A Remembrance Gathering will be held to honour Ken at Gibsons Legion on March 9th from 1 to 4 o'clock. Anybody who was his friend, or wanted to be, is welcome to attend, along with his family.
Ship of Life
Along the shore I spy a ship As she set out to sea;
She spreads her sails and sniffs the breeze
And slips away from me.
I watch her fading image shrink,
As she moves on and on, Until at last she's but a speck,
Then someone says "She's gone."
Gone where? Gone only from our sight
And from our farewell cries;
That ship will somewhere reappear to other eager eyes.
Beyond the dim horizon's rim, resound the welcome drums,
And while we're crying, There she goes!
They're shouting, Here she comes!
We're built to cruise for but a while
Upon the trackless sea
Until one day we sail away into infinity.
by John T. Baker
