Passed away suddenly on May 9, 2011 in Victoria, BC at the age of 55. Predeceased by his father, Dennis; Ken is survived by his wife, Bjorg; his children, Monika (Chad), Melissa and Erik; his mother, June; his sister, Margaret (Gordon); many nieces, nephews and extended family. Ken was an enormously dedicated and loving husband and father. He made lifelong friends wherever he went. For over 30 years, Ken built a rewarding career as a manager for TD Canada Trust. It was his nature to put others first and help them succeed. Ken cherished spending time with friends and family, especially over meals and on the golf course. He spent his final days doing what he loved most. Ken was Bjorg’s best friend and his kids’ inspiration and hero. He will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson and Vancouver Streets, on Monday, May 16 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s memory to the BC Children’s Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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David W. Love
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Kirsten Kroeker The last time I saw Uncle Ken was a short stopover in Victoria, with a 2 month old Haley in tow – I couldn’t calm her down, but he could! He walked in the door said, “I’ll take her, you eat” and that’s the last I held her that evening 🙂 He was a wonderful uncle with a great sense of humour and will be missed.
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Ian Mitchell I just heard today of Ken’s sudden passing. I worked with him briefly in Canada Trust in Victoria back in 1995. It is sad he passed so young. My thoughts are with you and his many friends.
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Peter Newman Bjorg, Monica, Melissa and Erik,
Your Dad (husband) hired me as his Sales Manager for the Cedar Hill Canada Trust branch in 1998. I worked with him side by side for over 2 years. I moved on to a few different roles with the bank however we always remained in touch personally and professionally. You have heard from many people how your Father was a positive impact on their lives. I wish to share with you how he was and continues to be so significant for me.
Your Dad gave me the opportunity to prove myself in a big corporation. As my manager his coaching style was one of leading by example. He gave me guidance, challenged me to be better, gave me license to succeed and at times fail, but always, always, unwavering support.
Over the years Ken and I became friends. In 2006, I started a family of my own. And so, your Father and I had another and far more important bond than our careers, that of being a husband and father. Our frequent conversations revolved less around the business but more of what is so much more important, our family. I doubt M, M and E would even recognize me however I feel I know you. Over the years your Dad has kept me up to date on your schooling your travel your careers. You are no doubt aware you were the center of thoughts, always. I know it brought him joy to simply think about and discuss his family. Just a few weeks ago I was sitting in his office and he gave me the run down on you all. I remember thinking as I left his office that I should go home early and spend time with my kids, because soon they will be travelling and working maybe living somewhere else and I won’t have them there for me when I find the time.
Your Father (husband) was integral in starting what continues to be my fulfilling career. I will always be thankful for that. But what I am going to remember him for and will be eternally thankful to him for is that he showed me what family man can and should be. From my perspective of a friend and co-worker I can think of no other person for whom I had more respect. I can only hope that can come close to being the kind of man your Father and husband was.
Peter Newman
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Doug Ashmore I knew Ken well from our days at Central Junior High and then Vic High. He was always quick with a joke and friendly with everyone he met. At our last school reunion Ken was still the same bright light even after all the passing years. My most sincere condolences. Words always fail me at these times. I am so very sorry. We were all very blessed to have know this man.
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Lynda & Jim Ireland To the Lee family – our thoughts are with you all at this very difficult and sad time. We have fond memories of Ken, chatting over the back fence about golf or about all the girls and their latest exploits. Although you were no longer our neighbours we always enjoyed hearing about your family. Ken will be sorely missed by all who knew him, Sincerely, Lynda & Jim Ireland
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Aud Sæther Kjære Bjørg!
Jeg sender varme tanker til deg og barna dine !
Klem fra Aud
( Seljord i Norge)
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John Pyne We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Ken. For over two decades I have seen Ken driving back and forth to work and on the weekends heading off to play golf. I love to fish and I know how lucky I have been to have friends to enjoy my passion with as Ken has been with the game of golf. Bjorg has been a loving wife and Monika, Melissa and Erik have been wonderful children. What a lucky man.
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Krishan & Rene We have both known & worked with Ken for almost 20 years now and were deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news while we were away…
Ken will always be remembered as someone that called it as he saw it and was almost aways right…he truly cared about everyone and everything he was involved with and had unwavering integrity…
Our most sincere condolences to Bjorg, Monika, Melissa & Erik…
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Harry Young and Family although ken and i have not played golf for a number of years.he was fun and good natured about his game.he was upbeat and positive.i would run into him at blenkinsop driving range practising his game and we tell tall storys and shared tips about the game.he was a good man.
my condolences to the Lee Family
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CLIFFORD 7 PATRIA LEE Our condolence to ur family & mother June. Ken is resting peacefully with the Lord in the Green Pasture. c
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Renae Choo and Family I knew Ken through his sister, Margaret. I will always remember Ken’s welcoming smile when I was a customer at the TD Canada Trust branch on Shelbourne/Cedar Hill X Rd. Ken will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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Bruce Read Bjorg, Monika, Melissa, and Erik;
I was saddened to hear the news and Ken will be missed. Ken will live on in your hearts and I will miss his unwavering support of the customer.
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Nils Kristian Sandland Aasbø Dear Bjørg
Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Love from Nils Kristian in Oslo, Norway
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Madeleine Lacroix I remember Ken well from our school days together at Central Junior High, and Victoria High School. He had a great sense of humour and was friendly to all. My thoughts are with you.
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Ruth Schroter Chan I have so many wonderful memories of Ken in high school and at our last reunion. My condolences to the family.
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Lotar My deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Ken will always be remembered as a great guy and co-worker. I had the privilege to work for and with Ken for many years……….he was one of the good guys. May your membership at your new golf course be to your liking, (heaven). God bless and happy golfing.
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Derek & Brenda Chow Dear Bjorg, Monika, Melissa & Erik,
Our deepest condolences at this difficult time. Ken will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a mentor to his staff and a life long friend. We share your sadness and may it bring you comfort to know that Ken touched so many lives in a positive way and will have a special place in the hearts of all who knew him.
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Sid & May Tang Sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
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Matthew, Jamie, and Melissa Ward Bjorg, Monika, Melissa, and Erik:
Our sincere condolences for your loss. Ken was a wonderful neighbor and he will be sincerely missed. Our heart goes out to you all during this difficult time.
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The Allan's Bjorg, Melissa, Monika and Erik,
We were deeply saddened to hear the news of Ken’s passing. Our sympathy and warmest thoughts are with your family during this very difficult time.
Love,
Jim, Kim, Sean & Jason“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal … Love leaves a memory no one can steal”
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Trish Dugal-Coulombe My deepest sympathies to you Bjorg, kids and Charlie too. I really enjoyed working with Ken, his passion for his branch and his humor will be dearly missed but have a lasting memory.
-Trish (branch 9911)
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Maureen ( Poulsen) Vincent My heart goes out to you all Bjorg, Melissa, Monika & Erik. I met Ken nearly 20 years ago at Canada Trust, Douglas St. I am sad to hear that such a remarkable man has left us so young. Although I have been away from the company for nearly 5 years now, I have nothing but the fondest memories of working with Ken at the old Canada Trust 014.
Maureen
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Margaret I was in shock when Carol called and told me what had happened. I am so very sorry to hear your loss. He wil be sadly missed by so many. He was a wonderful man.
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Fernando Zilli I had the pleasure of knowing Ken from young age. Some of my fondest memories are of Coach Ken cleaning the clumps of grass out of my soccer cleats with his keys after a wet first half at Cordova Bay park. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Lee family, Ken will be missed.
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Shannon MacDonald Bjorg,Melissa, Monika and Erik,
I was so sad to hear about Ken’s passing. I had the pleasure of having Ken as my boss at Millstream and knowing him since our Canada Trust days. Ken was a warm, caring man who will be missed. He was always a means of support for whatever you needed him for. He has always been there for me and my family even after I left the bank he always called to ‘check up on us’ and make sure we were all doing well. I will never forget what a wonderful person he was. I am so sorry for your loss. Hold on to and cherish the memories that you will always have.
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Megan Knowlton Bjorg, Melissa, Monika and Erik… I am so sad for you and all of us that knew Ken. I have so many memories and can’t stop thinking about him. I always said to people he was the smartest man I know!! He was and I always phoned him when I needed an answer to something… not sure who to turn to now. I loved most that I could always count on Ken to say things in meetings that the rest of us were thinking but too afraid to say!!! ALWAYS challenged people and stayed true to what he believed. I will miss him so much…
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Rosana Sumberac Sending you our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Our condolences from the Sumberac family
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Jill and David Bone Dear Lee Family,
Our sincere condolences for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Ken (and Melissa and Monika) over many years with TDCT.
Ken was a very special person and we know how much he will be missed by you and the communities he worked with.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time,
Jill and Dave
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Qiang Zhao (Q) Dear Bjorg, Monika, Melissa and Erik,
Ken will live in our hearts forever.
Q and family
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Larry Li Sending you my blessings. A moment of contemplation for everyones loss…
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Brenda Mitchelmore Bjorg and family,
I am very saddened to hear about Ken’s sudden passing…. we have so many wonderful memories and shared alot of good times with him coaching the boys softball team. Go Cobras Go! He was well respected and a quiet “gentleman” whom the boys will fondly remember. We will miss you Ken, definitely gone too soon.
Rick, Brenda and Jeffrey Mitchelmore
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Andrew MacKillop Dear Bjorg and family;
I’m truly sorry for your loss. Ken was a very passionate man who had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration from his coworkers and friends. He will be greatly missed.
I remember well how much my daughter thought of Ken as she considered him to be “HER” branch manager at the local branch–she was 11 and he treated her like she was an adult always engaging her in conversation and asking what she was up to…and she loved it!
Ken would always laugh at the claim that I could watch him from my kitchen window as my house overlooked the Millstream area and the TD branch. Although we kidded about that, watching him was always very interesting as his creativity and networking ability shone through. He was an incredible business. and more importantly, relationship builder.
An unbelievably caring individual, Ken will be greatly missed by my family and me. Take care and deep condolences.
Andrew, Stephanie, Gillian
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Chelsey Hoban Dear Bjorg, Monika, Melissa and Erik,
Sending you all my love. I worked with Monika and Melissa and Ken at TD and I wish you all the best.
Chelsey.
Bjorg,
Ken touched many lives so very positively – yours most, of course, but ours as well.
Everywhere he went was improved by his presence.
Colleen and David Love
Golden, BC