Date de Décès: 2007-12-03
Date de Parution: 2007-12-07
Source: The Expositor, Brantford, ON
HODGE, Kenneth - Of Westbank, BC passed away peacefully with family by his side at Kelowna General Hospital on December 3, 2007 at the age of 70 years. A recipient of a heart transplant in 2001, Ken was a true miracle man, overcoming many health challenges through the last 10 years of his life, never letting his medical circumstances change his positive attitude. His ability to tell a great joke and spread smiles and good cheer to all those around him will be lovingly recalled by all who had the pleasure of spending time with him or heard him sing with his signature grace and style at Karaoke over recent years. Ken's path in life took him down many roads. He was a radio announcer and city councillor in Brantford, ON in the 1960's and enjoyed a long career in sales with Cockshutt Farm Equipment and Outboard Marine through the 1980's. His volunteer work spanned many years and many areas, from leading youth choirs in Hamilton, ON to stints as parent coach, convener and meet organizer for T-ball, minor hockey and swim clubs in Brantford and Kelowna. Ken leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories for his family, his sons Daniel (Irene), Kevin (Deanna) and daughter Donalyn (Robert Hirtz), grandsons Geoff, Tim, Simon and Griffin, and Marjorie, his children's mother and forever his trusted friend. His love and appreciation of music carried through every facet of his life, from his parents Dorothy and Bill, through his kids and now onto his grandchildren. Ken's family would like to thank the medical team at ICU in Kelowna for their care and efforts over the past few weeks as well as the many doctors and support staff who have impacted his life throughout his last years. A loving thank you is also extended to his good friends who helped to brighten his days and enrich his life. A celebration of Ken's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 8, 2007 at ARBOR FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2541 Churchill Road, Westbank ,BC with a gathering at the Westbank Legion to follow. Friends from afar are invited to join us in spirit by sending stories of Ken and good jokes by email to donalynh@shaw.ca that can be shared at the gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations in kind can be made to the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, or the BC Transplant Society. 10926498