Kenneth Clair Ellis passed away at home on November 23, 2020. Ken was a character whose life was shaped by his sense of determination, adventure, humour, and love for his family and good friends.
Ken delighted when people asked “where are you from?”. His reply was always the same . . . “how much time do you have”, followed by his story starting with his birth in Truro, Nova Scotia, and through his life in almost every Canadian province and territory. Ken so enjoyed his 30+ year career with Bell Canada, as well as some interesting contracts in Virginia, USA, and Riyad, Saudi Arabia. An enthusiastic traveller, Ken made the most of his vacation time by purchasing open airline tickets and traveling through Europe and Asia, often with only a camera and a change of clothes in tow. Ken’s passion was amateur radio. He became interested as a young boy, and held a call sign in every province he lived; most recently VY2IX. Ken was proud to be fluent in English, French, and Morse Code. For years Ken would get up in the middle of the night to make contacts with ‘hams’ on the other side of the world, and collected QSL cards from hundreds of countries.
There was nothing more important to Ken than his daughters – Kelly (Jeff McGlashan), Nancy (Kirk deLaPlante, and their children Ashley, Connor, and Brianna), and Sara (James Smith). He shared their photos and did some (much!) boasting about them with almost everyone who crossed his path. Ken had a wonderful smile, that was most often triggered by any mention of his girls. Sisters Joan Grey, Mary Lou Ingram, and Suzanne Woodley, and their families referred to Ken as Clair. It couldn’t happen often enough, but he especially enjoyed time spent with nieces and nephews Jane Clark, Michael Grey, Rob Grey, Patty Koblyk (deceased), and their families.
Ken and Ruth had the most wonderful 33 years together, sharing the best friendship, much travel, good laughs, and so many precious memories. Ken was so thrilled to return to his family’s roots when he and Ruth moved to PEI in 2016. He made many friends here and loved going for drives throughout this beautiful island. Ken was so appreciative of the support from PEI Home Care (Souris) – particularly Bob Lyons and the staff and friends from the Adult Day Program and the at home hospice team, as well as Dr. Malone, and Dr. Biswas and the caring staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Ken’s companion Pumpkin was never far from his side.
At Ken’s request, there will be no service, however, he would be so pleased to be remembered over a glass of wine, or even better – a plate of cookies! If so desired, donations in memory of Ken can be made to the Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kenneth Clair Ellis July 31st 1934 November 23rd 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Souris, Province: I-P-E