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Kenneth J. Babin BATHURST, NB - On Thursday, January 20, 2005, Ken Babin died suddenly at age 74 of a heart attack while vacationing with his wife, Jean in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. They were visiting their daughter Linda and Michel Picot, enjoying a day cruise with friends and were at anchor off one of the islands. The Virgin Islands Search and Rescue team arrived within minutes with medics aboard and he was transported to the hospital in Tortola where he was pronounced dead. Kenny spent his last day in one of his favorite places, on the water in a boat. Born on December 20, 1930, son of the late Alfred and Octavie Babin, Ken was a lifelong resident of Bathurst. He attended school in East Bathurst, was employed at Consolidated Bathurst and later with Hudson Bay Wholesale and Eddy Group, after which he and his wife welcomed guests at their Bed & Breakfast in Youghall for 15 years. Ken served on the City Planning Commission for two terms and in earlier years was a member of the Lions Club. In 1947 he joined the Bathurst Papermakers hockey team and was honored by the City in 1958 for his sportsmanship. Besides playing hockey and baseball, Ken curled competitively for some years, but his boat and fishing in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter were his favorite pastimes. Predeceased by his parents, brothers Donald and Roe and sister, Ursula Ouellette; he is survived by his wife Jean (Thomson); sons, David (Jody), Gary (Beverly), Tim (Lise), Peter (Karolyn); daughter, Linda (Michel Picot); sister, Helen Doctor and brother, Cyril (Irene); brother-in-law, Emile Ouellette and sister-in-law, Irene Babin; seven grandchildren - Andrea, Ashley, Samantha, Kaitlyn, Keith, Kathleen and Scott; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Kenny loved his friends and extended family, had a great rapport with all children, enjoyed his camp up river, music, travel and lived life to the fullest. A memorial service will be held at First United Church on Saturday, February 5 at 2 p.m. with reception to follow. Cremation was in Puerto Rico with committal service to follow later in the year. For anyone wishing to send tokens of sympathy, the family would appreciate donations to the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue, a volunteer group who did everything possible on the trip to the hospital, or to a favorite charity. Donations for the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue Ltd. can be made through Elhatton's Funeral Home web site at www.elhatton.com or telephone 506546-2716.