July 2, 1923 – August 19, 2026
Kenneth passed away peacefully at home, reaching the age of 104. He was predeceased by his loving wife Jean, brothers Ed (late Grace) and twin Ron (late Alison), and niece Doreen (late Charlie). He is survived by his son Ron, daughters Ailsa (late Larry) and Lesley (Rodney), as well as nephews Fred (late Deanna), David (Janice), and Bruce (Janet). He will be missed by his cherished grandchildren Caroline (Jamie), Alison (George), and Jane (Tim), along with great-grandchildren Edward, Jack, Anna, Isabella, and Eloise.
Ken had a fondness for the Toronto of his younger days. Along with his twin brother, he often cycled around delivering newspapers and running errands. His love for the outdoors made him an excellent swimmer in Lake Ontario at the family cottage near Scarborough Bluffs.
He would often joke that his twin was “the smart one,” but Ken’s talents were just different from Ron’s. He trained to be a draftsman and might have pursued architecture if World War II hadn’t interrupted his studies. Instead, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in England where he took every chance to sketch and paint during downtime. While there, he met Jean Whitelaw whom he married before bringing her back to Toronto after the war.
The couple lived in the Lawrence/Bathurst area for a time before moving to Etobicoke. Although Ken worked as a draftsman, he wanted to express his love of nature through painting. He was immensely grateful to Jean for encouraging him to pursue art full-time. Over his lifetime, Ken created an impressive collection of watercolors displayed in many galleries and homes around the world. Though he tried oils briefly, he always returned to watercolors; in his 90s he even experimented with acrylics.
As a dedicated family man, Ken supported son Ron and daughters Lesley and Ailsa wholeheartedly. He stayed close to twin brother Ron, sister-in-law Alison, and their sons Dave and Bruce while celebrating holidays together through the years. His older brother Ed moved north when they were young but eventually settled down in Sudbury with Grace where they raised Fred and Doreen. Ken enjoyed visiting them for camping trips and canoeing adventures in Algonquin Park.
Ken learned early on about hard work and being resourceful-before it became trendy-to repurpose things or fix what could be repaired rather than throwing it out. He swore by duct tape’s magic power for everything from mending hoses to patching up gloves or pockets; friend Jan dubbed him “the duct-tape king!”
A quiet yet humorous man who was humble about himself; Ken loved laughter just as much as kindness towards others. An avid gardener at one point held over 100 rose bushes in his Etobicoke backyard; animals also found comfort around him-every family pet adored him.
Music played a significant role in Ken’s life thanks to influences from his father. With a lovely tenor voice, he sang in youth groups as well as church choirs; we kids remember seeing him engrossed in painting while enjoying CBC’s Saturday afternoon opera broadcasts.
An interest in politics came from his mother’s influence leading him throughout life to support various organizations working towards social justice or environmental preservation generously.
Ken truly embodied gentlemanly qualities while living gratefully each day appreciating all life offered him-including faith communities alongside thoughtful friends helping out like Bayshore nurses such as Amy Shoust who enabled these past few years spent comfortably at home among extended family members becoming close over time.
A graveside service will take place at St. Joseph Township Cemetery on Tuesday August 25th ,2026 starting at 3 p. m., followed by tea afterwards at Harmony St. Mark’s Fellowship Hall located within Richards Landing.
If desired please consider making donations instead of sending flowers either via cheque made out directly toward Harmony St. Mark’s United Church or e-transferred funds sent over using [email protected] Alternatively contributions can go toward PSW Programs listed under Township of St. Joseph indicated clearly upon memo line section marked accordingly!
Matt Haig wrote once that “I think everyone you meet you end up losing in some way, but if you love someone they don’t really leave. Obviously they do. But not entirely. They live on within your mind. You keep them alive. You can lose everything, but you can’t lose love.” Love you Dad!
Please visit www. osullivanfuneralhome. com if you’d like leave condolences for our family during this difficult time ahead. Arrangements are entrusted appropriately regarding O’Sullivan Funeral Home(215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie ON, P6A1P7 phone number is705-759-8456).
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