Kenneth Terence Downie

In Loving Memory 

Ken was born in Cape Town, South Africa and passed away suddenly in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  Ken is survived by his loving wife Nalini Lisa Joy McDermit Downie, fur child, Merry,  his parents, Pamela Sannie Laumeier and William Bill Downie, both residing in Capetown, South Africa, half brother Stuart (Stana) Downie in London, England, Uncle Anthony (Jane) Walton of Isle of Wight, England, Aunt Diana Gair, of England, Aunt Judy Cottier, of Vancouver, BC, Canada, several step-siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends and past colleagues around the world.

Ken attended South African College School (SACS), in Capetown, South African Merchant Navy Academy (General Botha), Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Lloyd’s Maritime Academy. Ken’s maritime shipping career started with sea crossings of all the oceans and visiting all continents as a 2nd Officer, with Safmarine based from Capetown.  He was a Navigation Officer onboard multiple international voyages to North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Antarctica.

Ken emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand, from South Africa in 2000, and worked there for seven years with NYK Line, becoming a NZ citizen, and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle of beautiful New Zealand. In 2007, Ken moved from Auckland to Sydney, Australia filling a National Shipping Operations Manager role with Hanjin Shipping.

Ken then met Nalini in Brisbane in 2008 and they were married in March 2010 on the Mornington Peninsula, in Victoria, Australia.  Together, they lived in both Melbourne and Sydney, Australia for a total of 12 years. During the years of 2014-2020, Ken worked for several global shipping lines including Patrick Terminals Melbourne, Seaway Agencies, and most recently Maersk Australia and Hamburg Sud.  Ken finished his impressive and successful 30-year career on the sea, as Port Captain and National Operations Manager in Sydney.

Ken moved to Canada with Nalini in February 2020 to start their new life in Vancouver BC.  The year 2020 was a challenging one for Ken, as it has been for many, and it included some health challenges that were overwhelming for him. Ken was a curious, sensitive, loving and supportive husband, with a quirky sense of humour.

He had many hobbies and sports interests, especially a love for the outdoors – the ocean, beaches, and warm climates of the southern hemisphere.  Ken was an avid sailor and loved his sailboat and sailing, sea kayaking, and swimming.   He was also a mountain biker, snow-skier, and had recently taken up running and even completed marathons in Sydney.  Ken was technically very savvy and had a collection of radio-controlled helicopters, drones, and kites that he loved flying.

He had a love for global travel that started with his seagoing career, and then together with Nalini, he enjoyed many special travel adventures across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Europe, Asia, US, Canada, as well as the Seychelles islands, and beyond, visiting over 50 countries.  Ken loved life and had a strong passion for new discoveries and self-learning.  As an agnostic, Ken respected, and remained curious, about all spiritual views.  Ken will be dearly missed by all that knew him well.

A Private Memorial will take place by Invitation only on Friday Oct 16th, 2020. In Honour of Ken, donations can be made to your organization of choice that is focused on Mental Health Awareness – let’s lose the stigma!

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY is OCT 10th (World Health Organization)

“Move for Mental Health:  Let’s Invest.”

-Close to 1 billion people have a mental disorder

-Depression is a leading cause of illness & disability

-1 person dies every 40 seconds from suicide

-3 million people die every year due to harmful use of drugs

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