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
33 Responses
We remember Ken–his kind-heartedness, understanding, thoughtfulness and his love for Nalini–with gratitude for his life and place in our family. We enjoyed good conversations and looked forward to many more. His influence enriched our lives and certainly will continue. Love.
My dear Nalini,
My name is gail Mcmurray… one of the workers, I am down in Chile . I was a good friend to your mom and dad …I want you to know I love you . I was praying for your today .. so glad you stayed at Mary Louise .. glad Sandra could come . God loves you too … just trust and love Him … this is a very sad time for you but God draws near to comfort you ..
with love and a hug , gail
On two occasions Nalini and Ken visited us in Orange County, California enroute to Canada from Australia. On their first visit we spent an evening on the historic Queen Mary ship. On the second in February we spent two nights together at Newport Beach. Both seaside resorts.
Our last visit will always remain with me as a testament of Ken’s patience, kindness and respect. He went out of his way to include my elderly infirm husband Milne, helping him and engaging him in all our conversations with such loving respect.
Ken will be deeply missed. Our love and support to Nalini for the days ahead.
Dear Nalini,
Thank you for the beautiful service for Ken. I feel like I have known Ken for years. Enjoyed the lovely tributes and wept through them like many did I am sure. It is clear Ken was a special person and I am glad you have some years with him, enjoying his love for you and your interesting life together. It was wonderful to see and hear Sandra with her message of comfort. Will be thinking of you with much love in my heart Nalini,
Evie
Dear Nalini and Kens loved ones. Our deepest sympathy The news of Kens passing has come as a shock. I have known Ken for a number of years during his sojourn in Sydney. He helped out as a temp in my office. Ken and Nalini attended a few of the Aust Branch GBOBA functions and we stayed in touch over the years. A great friendly person taken too soon. Rest in Peace. Dear Nalini our thoughts are with you.On behalf of the Aust Branch of the GBOBA our deepest sympathy
Grenville
Dear Nalini, We met in Los Angeles many years ago when MaryLyn was here. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I know what you are going through since my husband, Leonard, passed away 3 weeks ago. I didn’t know Ken but he sounds like he was a wonderful husband and I know you will miss him terribly. Thinking of you and trust in God’s comfort. Lou McCormick
Can it be 30 plus years since I last saw Ken at or around the time that we left school? Saddened to hear of his passing. We live in frail times. My sincerest condolences to his extended family. RIP Ken
We are grateful that Ken was our friend over the past 10 years. We loved his calm, gentle, happy nature. He was a rock and his love and respect for you were evident. It was always a pleasure spending time with you both – the restaurant meals, house parties, kayaking adventures, Shows, the sailboat, the Banff Mountain Film Festival… To our children, you were one person, KenAndNalini. We mourn with you and we will miss him dearly. Our deepest sympathy to you and Ken’s family. With love Darryl and Sue x
Dear Nalini, although we never met, I knew Ken for many years in Cape Town and have very fond memories of him. He was a very kind person and always interested in people and what they did and had to say. His many achievements in life are testimony to his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoor life. We are all extremely saddened and I send my love and deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Angela xx (Cumbria, UK) (mother to Julian, Sholto and Alexa Laumeier)
Ken,
I am deeply saddened by your departure from this world.
You have been a great leader of mine that taught calm, humour and kindness at every levels. I still recall our working together at HSD which I do miss.
You will be missed.