Tribute

Passed peacefully at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner, BC at age 93, after a brief hospice stay where he was in good spirits, had great visits with family and friends, and as always with Ken, lots of laughs. Survived by loving wife Edra (nee Pendergast, of Toronto Gore, Ontario) who received gladiolas on their anniversary every year for 67 years; children Paul (Deb), Mark (Pauline), Karen (Tom), and Kendra (Brian); grandchildren James, Angela, Jillayna, Michael, Lisa, Curtis, Julia, Alissa, Ryan, Taylor, Graydon, and Paige; and great-grandchildren Olivan, Marigold, Gage, Berkley, Tate, Warren, Beo, Brockton, Bryce, Maddox, and Audrey. All the family were able to visit during his last days in person or by video.

Ken was born and raised in Acton, Ontario, the son of James Boustead Adamson and Stella Jane McLam. He had several interesting jobs in his early years including working at Avro Aircraft on the CF100 in the 1950s. He met Edra in Malton on a blind date (she was a great gal he said) and they married at Wildfield, Ontario in 1955, starting their family in Acton (Paul) and Kitchener (Mark), and then moving to Ottawa in 1960 (Karen and Kendra), raising the family on Elmsley Crescent in Lynwood Village.

He was the General Manager of Carleton Culvert in Bells Corners for 17 years and was well known in the road construction industry in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Ken was an active sponsor and coach in the early days of the Nepean Hockey Association (including pre-game ice shoveling before the arenas were built in 1967). Koppers brought him to Vancouver in 1977 to manage their Western Canada sales through to his first retirement in 1989. He then joined up with steel fabricator Brenco for 20 years until his next retirement at age 80. He was well-respected and well-regarded in his many endeavours – business for Ken was always based on relationships and led to many friendships over the years.

Ken made life-long friends in Acton, Ottawa, and Tsawwassen, and with all the Pendergast family (the in- laws). While in hospice he was able to have calls with close family and Ottawa friends from the sixties, and revisit good times and good stories. In Tsawwassen, retirement activities included golf, lawn- bowling, poker, snooker, and bridge; and he volunteered and was active with the Legion and KinVillage. He made the website feature page of his golfing group with a highlight photo chipping out of a creek- bed. He invested much time and attention to his model train systems and enjoyed demonstrating the trains for his great-grandchildren (and usually managed to get them running). He had a gregarious personality, with an engaging grin, and a sense of humour – he enjoyed social get-togethers of any kind and always added festivity to an occasion.

The family is grateful to everyone who gave us comfort and support during this time (and who sent cheers to Ken), and to the amazing staff at the Irene Thomas Hospice who assisted in his last days with care, compassion, and a positive spirit. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favourite charity in Ken’s name or do a good deed to brighten someone’s day.

Service at Sacred Heart Parish, 3900 Arthur Dr. in Ladner, on Wednesday November 30 th at 10:00am, reception to follow. Family Interment at Gardens of Gethsemani.