It’s with profound disappointment that the household of Kenneth James Firth broadcasts his passing within the loving presence of his spouse and 4 youngsters on January twentieth, in his 86th 12 months, after a quick sickness.
Ken is survived by his spouse and greatest buddy, Saundra, of 65 years, and by his 4 youngsters, Kimberley Firth (Miriam), Lesley Lebel (Marc), Meredith Firth, and Darren Firth.
He will likely be significantly missed by his 4 grandchildren Tyler Lebel (Kate), Jordan Lebel (Caitlin), Brittney Ernst (Matthew), and Brooke McLay (Tyler), and had a particular place within the hearts of his 10 great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Beckham, Adeline, and Eloise Ernst, Juniper, Austin, and Wylder Lebel, Logan and Landon Lebel, and Violet McLay.
Ken was born in an easier time on March twenty seventh, 1939 in Scarborough Ontario. His mom, Florence, raised Ken and his brother Ray as a single mom for many of their childhood. At age 2, Flo entered Ken into the CNE child contest and he gained 2nd place; she at all times maintained that he ought to have come first.
In the course of the conflict, he enthusiastically participated in paper and metallic drives and even grew his personal victory backyard. Shortly after the conflict ended, Ken’s mom married returning conflict veteran Walter Tranter, who grew to become a devoted father to Ken and his brother.
Simply after turning 15, Ken utilized for a place as a inventory boy on the Woolworth’s retailer the place his mom labored, and was employed, starting a profession with the corporate that may final 44 years. He entered the supervisor coaching program at age 18 and was the youngest retailer supervisor in Woolworth historical past when he was promoted at age 22.
In 1957, Ken met the love of his life, Saundra Turner, after his faculty buddies guess him that she wouldn’t exit with him. He gained the guess they usually have been married two years later.
Ken was a star govt at Woolworth’s and was continuously transferred throughout the Sixties and 70s to under-performing shops, the place he would shortly flip them round. By the point Ken and Saundra had been married 25 years, they’d moved 27 instances with the corporate and had lived throughout Canada from coast to coast.
Alongside the journey Ken and Saundra welcomed their 4 youngsters, bringing them on their adventures tenting via Alberta, mountaineering in BC, and crusing in Ontario.
They finally settled in Barrie Ontario within the late 70s, the place Ken grew to become supervisor of the biggest Woolworth’s retailer in Canada, and the place Saundra would turn out to be a pioneer within the well being meals business in 1980. It was one of many nice joys in his life to have been in a position to share his work with all 4 of his youngsters.
An immensely proud father, Ken taught his youngsters via the best way that he labored and lived. To Kim he taught the worth of independence, to Lesley the significance of household, to Meredith the advantage of kindness, and to Darren the values of willpower and laborious work.
He was additionally very happy with his son-in-law Marc, whose success as each an entrepreneur and father he admired.
All through the 2010s, Ken & Saundra loved their retirement collectively, vacationing in Florida with Lesley and Marc, visiting Kim and Miriam in Victoria, and spending summers in Nova Scotia with Meredith. He would later return to work as a part-time inventory boy at his son Darren’s vitamin enterprise.
Notably joyous occasions throughout this time have been the marriages of his 4 grandchildren and the arrival shortly thereafter of his 10 great-grandchildren, who all liked spending time with their Gramps every time they might.
In Might of 2024, the household hosted a shock sixty fifth wedding ceremony anniversary celebration attended by his youngsters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In his unrehearsed speech to his household on the celebration, Ken mentioned, “Saundra, I like you an increasing number of daily. Your mom, your grandmother, your nice grandmother is probably the most fantastic particular person on the earth and I simply cannot thank her sufficient for every part that she offered for me and for our household. Thanks, Saundra, for every part.”
Ken and Saundra wish to acknowledge the previous Woolworth’s group, the Barrie Rotary Membership, and Ken’s enterprise colleagues for his or her fellowship over time. Whereas there are too many mates to say, they wished to make notice of their particular relationship with lifelong mates Man and Bev Latva, Invoice and Marg Kenny, Harris Steele (deceased), and Wayne Rickerby (deceased).
The household wish to thank Bayshore for the type {and professional} care offered to Ken at dwelling throughout January of this 12 months.
In lieu of flowers or donations, it was Ken’s want that his mates spend extra time with their households, particularly with their grandchildren if they’ve them.
A small memorial service will likely be held on Jan. twenty fifth adopted by a celebration of life within the spring; notifications with the date will likely be despatched.
Preparations entrusted to Legacy Funeral Residence, Barrie. Condolences could also be despatched to the household by visiting www.legacyfuneral.ca
