Ken Remembered Fondly

He was an adopted boy
That fact seemed to fade
In significance.
In the love of a mother Edith.
Who nursed his hurts.
Gave him her love of books
Gave him the piano lessons
To master to a child’s degree
Finlandia by Sibelius.
The forest, the cold, the wars fought
The seasons.
Ah yes clearly the seasons Ken.
Visualize them Lad
I love them.
I love in them.
We share same and
Will have a phonograph produced.
From your efforts.

Ken grew to throat cancer survivor.
Teacher and Librarian.
Historian for his beloved London years.
Patron for my Law School tuitions.
Loved my Dad, Jack like a Brother.
Dweller near Owen Sound
Bushes and Bay
And brave First Nations.
Two marriages.
Second one a real keeper.
Quirky sense of humour, that Ken.

His father Tom, ever the
Sporting goods retailer
Employed my Dad
Right after the War and Scotland. RAF.
Local testy referee at the arena.
Snuck away from some angry home crowds.
Golfer par excellence.
Lover of big cars, Park Avenue.
But not much into Ken’s heart.


The other Ken
My Grandad.
Left with Bev’s constant
Care after Hertha’s early death.
Thanked two Danish sisters.
Mary and Lillian.
For warm hearted, jovial
Inputs to Bev.
This Ken a WW One vet.
Vimy Ridge Battle etched into
His courageous framework.
Gassed in the event.
Complications thereafter.
Crack bowler and fast ball pitcher.
Trophies numerous in the basement.
Found smiling as often
As he could…Grandad.
Took me to adventure shows, Detroit, picnics
Wishing Well soft drinks, dart games.
Industrial Hockey afternoons, Saturdays.
Watched my stumbling cub scout baseball.
Once a glamorous trip to
California and Disney. Yeah Disney
“Jungle Boat River Ride.”
Second wife, Janet from Glasgow.

The two Kens. Bravo and Thanks.