Remembering My Uncle Ken

On Thursday January 29, 2009, my cherished Uncle Ken passed away at his home with family by his side. He was 75 years old. It is a devastating loss for many.

Uncle Ken was very active in the Rotary Club and he lived his life following the "Four-Way Test"
Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

This is just one of the many attributes that made Uncle Ken the man he was. Perhaps if others followed this test, we wouldn't have so much negativity in this world.

There are so many things I remember about uncle Ken. He could always tell a good joke without having to be crude. The ice cream song, which really had to be seen first hand, his drink called Bloody Awful which was Beer, Tomato Juice, Tabasco sauce and Worchestershire sauce. He would always offer it to us when we were there, regardless of the time of day. Aunt Shirl would yell "Ken, its too early!" and his response was always "It's noon somewhere!" The drink lives up to its name because let me tell you, it is BLOODY AWFUL!!

I will also never forget one winter when uncle Ken, in his 70's strapped on a pair of hockey skates and went out on the lake for a skate. Age was never a factor with Uncle Ken.

One memory that stands out to me - as a little girl going up to the cottage, everyone would run off the end of the dock and into the lake. I would be hesitant because I wanted to know what was in the water at the end of the lake. Uncle Ken would say "It's ok, whatever is there will move". For whatever reason, I believed him and would make the jump. This past summer, Jonah and I went up to the cottage with my mom. Jonah ventured his way into the lake with Nana. Ironically, he had asked what was in the lake. Uncle Ken, without hesitation said "It's ok, whatever is there will move" It will always bring a smile to my face remembering that. Jonah did jump off the dock that day with nana catching him. It was a surreal moment for me.

Uncle Ken was funny, he was sincere, he was true to not only himself, but everyone around him. He loved his family, loved the outdoors and loved being a part of his community. And this showed at his service.

Something that used to always bother me was when someone would say "that was a beautiful service." It would irk me to no end. I mean, how could it have been lovely, or beautiful or wonderful? Well, on Monday I realized that really can be. The service for Uncle Ken was wonderful! I know it was just as he would have wanted it to be. We cried, we laughed, we remembered and we honoured. It was a beautiful service. It was a lovely service. It was a PERFECT service for Uncle Ken.


We love you Uncle Ken.