Ken passed away after a very long illness, at Soldiers Memorial hospital in Orillia, on the afternoon of Friday March 15th 2024, at the age of 70.
Ken was born in Lunde, Denmark and was the only child of Esther Thomsen (nee Christiansen) (1930-2024), and Egon Thomsen(1922-2013), and was married to his loving wife and care giver Zoe for 45 years.
Ken was the much loved son-in-law of Eileen Adamson, ( who Ken loved to give gag gifts to because they made her laugh…), brother-in-law to Martin (Bev), uncle to Mark Adamson (Jennifer), Greg Adamson(Heather), and Luke Adamson. He was also a great uncle to Isaac Adamson, who recently celebrated his 1st birthday and Ken really enjoyed watching some of Issac’s birthday celebration on FaceTime. Ken also has many cousins in Denmark, aunt is survived by his living Aunt Elen, and Uncle Flemming (Ester).
Ken loved life and people. He was passionate about so many things, and had great empathy for what other people were going through. He had a big heart and was very kind, generous and thoughtful.
He loved to laugh and usually found something to tease someone about on any given day, even if it was someone he didn’t know. Laughing with them, not at them. Anything to bring a smile. He made lots of faux pas and he laughed at himself too. Before someone even answered at the other end of the phone, his eyes were already in a twinkling squint and there was a big grin on his face.
Ken came to Canada in 1957, and started school not knowing much English. I am so glad the bullying he experienced never destroyed his love of people.
Ken had numerous jobs as a teen, working weekends and summers but his favourite was caddying at the old Glen Abbey Golf Course. He worked long hours and finally saved enough in tips to become a junior member. He loved golf, and he was good at it . Ken put his golf passion on the shelf for many decades while he attended York University, as a math and economics major and then became passionate once again about his new career with London Life. Ken worked for London Life for 30 years in sales and management and his London Life family and clients were very important to him. He looked forward to going to work every day.
Ken became ill when he was 31 but this did not stop him from working or having fun. Ken and Zoe decided they would do things “now” instead of waiting for retirement. It proved to be the best decision for their circumstance and they were very fortunate to have gone on trips and to have met so many wonderful people along the way. Ken and Zoe had dog kids throughout their married life and they took great joy in spoiling them. Their current dog Ty loved FaceTime with Ken. But I would be remiss if I did not boast a little about Ken’s luck with his first passion, golf.
In 2014 after a long stay in hospital during 2013, Ken, now long retired, and requiring the assistance of a riding golf cart, became a member at the Grandview Golf Course in Huntsville. Well on one particular day, (August 15th to be exact), Ken had the thrill of his first ever “hole-in-one”, and on this particular day, there happened to be a golf tournament, and offered in that golf tournament was a 2014 Genesis car, to anyone who got a “hole-in-one “, on the par 3, 7th hole. To this day Kens license plate for his car reads ACEGV7.
And so although Ken only lived until age 70 I can assure you he worked hard, had a lot of fun and tried to make life fun for others.
I miss him terribly already.
There is a vast number of people I must thank for their medical expertise and emotional support.
The doctors and nurses at Hamilton General Hospital, Guelph General Hospital, Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital, The Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, and the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Soldiers dialysis unit in Orillia.
Doctor Daraei (Ken’s favourite doctor tease), thank you for seeing Ken so often, at any time there was an emergency, and for all the phone calls and emotional support.
Thank you to so many of Zoe’s family and friends for all their tireless support.
I appreciate and love you all so much.
Not at all expected, but if you are thinking of making a donation in Kens honour, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation would be very fitting, or really, any charity of your choice that is important to you. It is enough that you have taken the time to read Ken’s obituary. Interment will take place privately at a much future date. Messages of condolence are very appreciated and can be made at the Mundell Funeral Home Website www.mundellfuneralhome.com