Gerry Watkins
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Please accept condolences from the Green family. Many fond memories of times past as neighbours and friends in Glencairn. Thinking of you.
Sincerely
Moira Green and family
WATKINS, Kenneth James
1932 - 2021
Kenneth James Watkins
1932 - 2021
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father on Monday, January 11, 2021, with his loving wife of 64 years, Gerry, and two daughters, Kelly Morrison and Kim Carswell, by his side.
Ken was a proud Canadian, having been born on September 29, 1932 and lived his entire life in Ontario. His formative years were spent in Fergus where he was baby brother to Eleanor, Marjorie (Toots), and Bob and under the loving and watchful eye of his mother, Alice. Ken’s lacrosse team, the Brampton Excelsiors, did his hometown and province proud when they won both the provincial and national championships in 1952.
After having famously worked on the Avro Arrow (Malton, Ontario,1952-59) as a supply chain specialist, and later with Northern Telecom, Ken moved his young family to Ottawa in Canada’s centennial year where he soon joined the federal public service and remained there for the balance of his career.
Ken’s commitment to his fellow citizens stretched beyond work to civic duty. He was a Councillor in Goulbourn Township in the pre-amalgamation period, and a park in Stittsville is named in his honour, commemorating his dedication to neighbours and community.
Ken loved nothing more than a gathering of friends and family. Hockey, golf and tinkering in his workshop were favourite pastimes. Whether at the family cottage on Sharbot Lake or elsewhere, Ken was always quick with a joke or a story, and equally quick with a hug or word of comfort when it was needed.
Ken will be profoundly missed by his two sons-in-law, Paul (Kim) and Peter (Kelly), and by his grandchildren, Steve Morrison (Courtney), Bryce Carswell (Emily) and David Morrison (Alexa). Also by his two great-grandchildren, Austin and Avery. Ken joins his cherished and only granddaughter, Tori Carswell, in heaven.
Ken fought cancer with great courage and positivity. His family would like to thank his doctors, Stephen Evans, Paul Wheatley-Price, Katerina Spacek and Benjamin Sohmer, for their kindness and exceptional compassion.
Due to restrictions caused by Covid-19, Ken’s family will be commemorating his life in a private event in the future.
As expressions of sympathy and in memory of Ken, please consider making a donation to one of Ken’s favourite charities, Lung Cancer Canada or Candlelighters’ Childhood Cancer Support Programs (Tori’s Helping Hand).