January 25, 1945 – August 14, 2013
Ken passed away very peacefully in hospital, after suffering a sudden aneurysm Monday night after spending a lovely evening with friends. Survived by his loving wife, Sue of 30 years; son, Chris (Alisha); grandsons, Gryphon and MacCaleb; brothers, Steve (Dawn Marie), Dave (Carolyn); nieces and nephews, Jeff (Melissa and baby Callum), Jana, Rebecca, Ally and Riley, and various other family members on Sue’s side. Ken was born in Victoria, moving with his family to various Canadian cities as he grew up. He joined Canada Trust in Hamilton in 1965, and spent time in London, Regina and Vancouver on his journey back to Victoria. His last 15 years were as Manager of Victoria’s downtown main branch where there was no budging him. Following his retirement from Canada Trust, Ken became a Financial Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities. Ken loved both careers, and especially loved the people he worked with (Head Office, not so much). Ken and Sue both retired in 2006 and since then have divided their time between their homes in beautiful Victoria and in Scottsdale Arizona, where they have made a second family of dear friends. Our Scottsdale home has been host to many friends and family from Canada. Ken loved his life: his friends and family, golf, music, books, cars, wine, purchasing golf shirts at bargain prices (he had close to 100). In recent years, he and Sue travelled all over the globe, whether to golf destinations or by cruise ship. His favourite spot of all was probably the wee village of Dornoch, Scotland. While working, Ken spent many hours at The Union Club, where he served as President from 2005 – 2006, at which time he was famously quoted by the Times Colonist as having said “If we’re not exclusive, what’s the point?” – a true Ken-ism. After retirement, he spent more of his time at The Uplands Golf Club where he was part of a super group of golf buddies nicknamed ‘CFU’.
A Celebration of Ken’s life is planned for Wednesday, September 4th , from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, at The Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road. Everyone is welcome. We want this to be a light-hearted event so that Ken can watch from Heaven and smile approvingly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation or to any other charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Victoria General Hospital, particularly his nurse, Traci, for their kind caring treatment of this darling man. They made a wrenching experience bearable. Condolences for the family may be offered below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Jot and Doreen Home
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Starr and Cal Smith Sue we are so very sorry for you and your family…truly ‘one of the good guys’…what a loss for us all.
Starr & Cal
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Bruce and Betty Paxton Ken was the finest Brother in law , and husband to my sister .
This was a tremendous shock to us all , but we are grateful that we were able to see he and Susie a few days before his passing .
We will always remember Ken’s wit, enthusiasm for life and his ability to light up a room .
Rest well Ken.
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Bob Paxton Ken : Going to miss you, Bro’-in-Law.
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Christine Mavrikos Sue and family,
I worked with Ken for many years at DS. In fact, we went to Rookie School together in ’96 and then we both bought a home in Scottsdale. Ken, you had so much to live for and left us much too soon. Take care, Sue. My thoughts are with you. Let the warmth of friends, family comfort you in the coming months and years.
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Pat Hapgood So sorry to see Ken’s death announced in the paper. I enjoyed our brief reconnection at Heart to Heart in the spring and never guessed his life would be cut so short. Take care, Sue and I hope our paths will cross again. Sincerely, Pat Hapgood
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David & Lorraine Price Dear Sue, our sincere condolences on Ken’s passing.
Old neighbors of many years ago.
David & Lorraine Price.
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Terri Snell To Sue, your family and the Rennies
I m Dawn s sister and just wanted to express my condolences. I met Ken many years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult moment.
Terri Snell
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Karen Blank Sue and Rennie Family
I am Dawn’s sister Karen,who knew Ken from school. My condolences and prayers to all of you.
Gary and Karen Blank
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Valerie Millard My deepest condolences to you and family Sue,
I have many fond and fun memories of Ken at The Permanent where I worked upstairs and Ken was Manager of the Savings. I remember many employee “Choir Practices” on Thursday evenings where Ken joined us and we had a great break from the rigors of work …Fridays just weren’t the most productive for many of us and he backed us up. Since starting to work at Nesbitt 13 years ago, I had many opportunities to speak to Ken when he called to for Greener and we chatted often about our recollections.
He will be missed but you will have his memories with you always,
All the best …Valerie
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Kathy Dick (Snell) Hi Sue and Family:
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Very fond memories of Ken when visiting Victoria ( he called me Cotton Jenny’s mom).
My thoughts and prayers are with you.Sincerely,
Kathy Dick
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Jay Byron & Glenda Saper We always looked forward to seeing Ken & Sue at our favorite watering hole Manuel’s…Ken always with a smile on his face, and always dancing…Like the rest of us, Ken was no Fred Astaire, but he loved to take Sue on the dance floor because she was his Ginger Rogers…We will miss his smile, and love of life…We love you Sue and hope you will return to Scottsdale soon so we can all hug you. God bless you, and I know Ken will be there in spirit with you on the dance floor In his stylish Bermuda shorts, with huge smile on his face
Love & miss you Ken
Jay & Glenda
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Paul L. Cantrell Sue, I like to believe that when we lose someone close to us they still live through us and give us strength. The time we have spent with those we’ve lost makes them part of us.
I am glad to have been acquainted with Ken and I realize that you have lost a special person.
Sue our condolences and if possible a “Ken Story” to be read at his celebration. i’m sure you heard all about the balloons in his office. I will deliver a plant and balloons with a copy of this story to the golf course Wed morn so they will be there when you arrive. I’m sorry we won’t be there to share in his celebration but our thoughts and prayers have been with you. Take good care of yourself and hopefully we will meet on the street in the near future or call us for coffee. Doreen and Jot Home
Our Ken story is below:
To Sue and Ken’s extended family
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Ken so suddenly Aug 14th. We are not be able to attend Ken’s celebration of life as we will be travelling to a Century 21 convention in Kelowna. However we would like to share a Ken story.
Jot, too, started with Canada Trust in Toronto in 1965, working as well in Vancouver, Prince George and Victoria, where he was, by mutual agreement, “let go”. Jot entered Real Estate at that time and is still there after 38 years, vowing he would never have any further dealings with Canada Trust. Fate thought differently .
In the late 80’s things were booming in Victoria, dropping interest rates, houses selling like hot cakes and Jot was with Canada Permanent enjoying life in the fast lane. Then Canada Trust Real Estate bought Canada Permanent Real Estate and Jot found himself in the baseent at the corner of Douglas and Fort. After one celebratory meeting in Vancouver, the realtors arrived home with a bus full of balloons and Jot volunteered to dispose of them. He decided to fill Ken’s office with the balloons, hoping he would give them to the staff the next day. However, his generous, beer induced gift was not received by Ken in the way it was given. Upon discovering his office full of these balloons and no one to blame, he summoned a CT staff member to pop all the balloons and clean up the mess, before he could start his working day. Then he spent the rest of the day trying to find out who the prankster was. It took several day but he finally discovered the culprit was an untouchable, unfireable realtor, hiding in the basement at the corner of Douglas and Fort.
Balloons were forgotten and Jot moved on to Montreal Trust. No sooner had he got his papers in the desk, Canada Trust Real estate bought Montreal Trust Real Estate and Jot was still in the basement, this time across the street at the corner of Douglas and Fort. My lovely wife again suggested that it was time to send Ken some more Balloons. Five black balloons arrived in his office with a short note that read “I’m Back” signed Jot. An audible chuckle was definitely heard coming from the manager’s office.
Since then, whenever we met, be it at the Canada trust branch, at Xmas functions or over coffee at the Dutch Bakery, Ken would always stop and chat, exchanging news of Sue, family, work, health or their latest trip.
So when we heard of Ken’s passing, again the lovely Doreen said it was time to send Ken some more balloons.
Sue, when this evening is finished and the sun is setting over the golf course, maybe you and the family could step outside and release these balloons for Ken, himself, to catch and pop.
Our condolences,
Jot and Doreen Home