Kenneth Snowdon
‘Ken’
1929 – 2016
Snowdon, Kenneth “Ken” – Age 87 of Parrsboro passed away on Monday, June
6, 2016 at home. Born at Montreal, he was a son of the late Norman Snowdon and Mary
(Callaghan) Snowdon-Simpson. Ken joined the Canadian Army after two years in the
Government Civil Service. Enlisting in the RCOC and after basic training in
Montreal, he was posted to Montreal RCOC Depot, then to Ottawa RCOC Depot. In
1949 Ken volunteered for SAS (Special Air Service), where he received his first
experience of parachuting. Ken formally received his wings in 1949. SAS
subsequently was disbanded, when he was posted to RCOC parachute depot in Shilo,
Manitoba. He soon qualified as a parachute rigger and served as a rigger with
R22R in Valcartier, Quebec from 1950 to 1952. He decided to re-badge to the Van
Doo’s in order to see action in Korea, where he served for 14 months. Upon his
return from Korea, he served with the Queen’s Own Rifles in Calgary, Germany,
Victoria and Cypress. Following additional tours in Germany and Winnipeg with
the 2nd PPCLI, he was posted to Canadian Forces Recruit School in Cornwallis,
from where he retired in 1976 as Master Warrant Officer. Among the many awards
Ken received, the accolades he was most proud were Parachute Wings (1949),
Special Service Medal, NATO Special Service Medal, UN Service Medal,
Peacekeeping Medal, Korea Service Medal (1952), UN Cyprus, Queens Diamond
Jubilee Medal and Canadian Forces Decoration and Clasp. Following his retirement
and after a short time living in Cornwallis, Ken and his beloved Nellie settled
in Parrsboro in 1984. For many years, Ken and Nellie spent their winters in
Zephyrhills, Florida, where Ken served as President of the Valleydale Retirement
Community from 1997 to 2007. He served on the Board of Directors of the
Parrsborough Shore Historical Society, was a member of the Parrsboro Golf Club
and Parrsboro Legion Branch No. 45. He was also a member of Minas Lodge No. 67,
Parrsboro, Philae Temple (Shriner) and Preceptory Mount Zion No 73. Ken was an
active member of his community and was a volunteer ‘Mr. Fixit’ to so many local
organizations, such as St. George’s Anglican Church and the Ottawa House in
Parrsboro. He was deservedly awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and a
Provincial Volunteer of the Year Award for his many contributions to his
community. Ken will be greatly missed by his family, many friends and the entire
community. He is survived by a sister, June Rose, Barrie, Ont.; a brother, David
Simpson (Valerie), Montreal; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by
his wife, Nellie in 2011; sisters, Vera, Ella, Mae; brothers, Donald, Norman.
Visitation 6-8 pm on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro.
Funeral service will be held 11am on Monday [June 13, 2016] at St. George’s
Anglican Church, Parrsboro, the Rev. Dr. Brian Spence officiating. Burial in the
church cemetery. Reception to follow in St. George’s Anglican Church Hall,
Parrsboro. Memorial donations may be made to the Parrsborough Shore
Historical Society or St. George’s Anglican Church, Parrsboro.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Kenneth Snowdon
‘Ken’ – 1929 – 2016.source
avis deces Kenneth Snowdon
‘Ken’ – 1929 – 2016- avis mortuaire Kenneth Snowdon
‘Ken’ – 1929 – 2016