Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 surrounded by his family. Sea plane pilot, Georgian Bay islander, dog-lover, sailor, skier, scuba diver, traveller, Formula 1 fan, question-answerer, solar-energy aficionado and proficient cottage project putzer.
Beloved Husband to Mary (Hogarth), his wife of 53 years. Affectionate “Grumpy” to his seven grand-children, Andrew, Mary, John, Crawford, Haven, Victoria and Katie. He will be sadly missed as well, by his children and their spouses, Susan and Gordon O’Reilly (Etobicoke), Kyle and Bryce Stricker (Mississauga), Elizabeth and Steve Elsdon, (Hinsdale, Illinois). Also heartbroken are Isabel & Bill Neeb, Sharon Gregory & Dan Padden and Agnes & Vince Cushing as well as, many nieces and nephews.
Born in Hamilton, Ken worked for 20 years with Sunbeam Corp. ending his corporate career as president of the Pacific Rim region in Hong Kong. Days off included sailing the Red China Sea in his Hobie Cat with his kids—and sharks. In 1989, the family returned to Canada where he founded Peak Time, a national wholesale giftware business.
For more than 30 years, Ken and Mary have enjoyed summers on The Bay and the last five winters in their motorhome in Sarasota, Florida. More than anything else, he loved spending time with his family and dogs, and following his grandchildren’s activities and sports.
Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter “Peel” Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St., Mississauga (Hwy 10 N of QEW), on Friday, July 28, 2017 from 2 - 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Stephen’s-on-the-Hill United Church, 998 Indian Road, Mississauga on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow. For his Georgian Bay friends, there will be a reception at Camphausen Island on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 3 p.m. Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, St. Stephen's-on-the-Hill United Church or Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, would be appreciated.