December 23, 1934 to July 6, 2017
Retired International Vice President for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers AFL-CIO-CLC (Canadian Director)
After a wonderful life, blessed with love and laughter and a very deep faith, Ken passed away peacefully at Riverside Glen in Guelph, Ontario. His family and friends spent many hours with him enjoying his wit and humility up until the very end.
He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his wife Eileen. Ken and Eileen were high school sweethearts and continued to have a beautiful life for over 60 years together. He will live on, in countless ways through his devoted children, Derek, his wife Brenda and their sons, Matthew and Justin of Toronto; Greg, his wife Karen and their children Lindsay and Liam of Guelph; Kevin, his wife Caterina and their daughter Aidenne of Aurora; Dr. Colleen Davies, her husband Dr. Donald and their children Devin, Connor and Megan of New Liskeard. Son of the late Harry and Isobel Woods; Beloved brother of Stuart and his wife Eileen of Burlington and predeceased by his sister Sandra.
He will also be missed by his sister in law Muriel (Stu) McTavish and brother in law John (late Lordeen) Eadie and by many wonderful nieces, nephews and great friends. Ken was also predeceased by sister in law Anne (Morris) Bulger.
Ken was born and raised in Guelph. He enjoyed a wonderful youth growing up in old town Guelph. He played goal for the Guelph Jr. B Hockey club the year the Guelph Biltmores won the Memorial Cup. Leaving Guelph, he played Jr. A in the OHA for the Windsor Spitfires and the Oshawa Generals.
Ken was a 60 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He was initiated in Local Union 804 of the IBEW in June 1956. A trade Union activist, Ken transferred his card to Local 548 Guelph, where he immediately became President Acting Business Manager. This was a position he was elected to for five consecutive terms. He was one of the founding Officers of the IBEW Council of Utility Local Unions in the Province of Ontario.
He became an International Representative for the IBEW in 1972. He was assigned to service and organize workers in the Utility and Manufacturingindustries in Canada. In 1975 he became an Administrative Assistant to the IBEW Vice President in Canada, then Executive Assistant before becoming Vice President for the IBEW in Canada in 1987. Ken held that office for 10 years being elected twice to the position.
During his term as IVP for the IBEW, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney appointed Ken to the Economic Council of Canada in 1990. As part of his duties as the IVP for the IBEW in Canada he sat on the Executive Board (s) for the Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL CIO); the Canadian Federation of Labour and eventually the Canadian Labour Congress which he lead the Building Trades in rejoining after years of separation.
The Minister of Labour for the Province of Ontario appointed Ken to the Construction Industry Advisory Board. He also served the Canadian Labour Market and Productivity Center on Committees pertaining to the Construction and Manufacturing industries.
During his retirement, Ken was an Arbitrator for the Canadian office of the Building and Construction Trades Department at the AFL-CIO. His role was to arbitrate the settlement of jurisdictional disputes in the unionized construction industry in Canada. Ken was a Charter member of L.U. 804 retirees club, and the clubs first chairperson, and a member of the Guelph and Wellington Mens Club.
Ken loved life at their summer cottage in Southampton with his wife Eileen, and served on the board of Directors for Block BCottagers Association. He cherished the visits from his children and grandchildren. Although not an accomplished golfer, Ken loved the game and enjoyed the challenge of playing with fellow members, and matches with his family and friends at the Saugeen Golf and Country Club.
Ken loved his children and grandchildren, and followed their athletic and scholastic endeavors with great enthusiasm and passion. He looked forward to, and loved their visits to the cottage during which fun and laughter were shared by everyone.
Kens family has a great and deep appreciation for the care and love provided to him at the Erin and Arthur Neighborhoods at Riverside Glen where an incredible and mutual love and respect helped make his final days comfortable for everyone.
A man of great compassion, if you needed an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry or lean on, Ken was your man.
Resting at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph, on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Vigil for Ken will be held at 8:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at St. Josephs Church, Guelph, at 11 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Cards available at the funeral home or online condolences at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.