A LA DOUCE MÉMOIRE DE Kenneth Sidney Vowles
Ken passed away peacefully at Maple View Lodge in Athens, Ontario.
Predeceased by his parents (Arthur and Matilda) and his four elder siblings (Doris, Arthur, Gladys, and Denis) all from England, Ken lived a full and happy life in Canada. He was also predeceased by his wife Mary (Noonan) of Perth and Balderson.
He is remembered with heavy hearts by his children: Jennifer (Kirk Millenor) and Dennis (Jennifer Brown) and by his three grandsons: Connor, Jackson and Benjamin.
From his years as a billeted child in World War II, Ken went on to live an amazing life. He worked as a bell hop at Basil Street Hotel in London and soon thereafter he began boxing. He was recruited to the Royal Air Force with an eye on his boxing skills. After serving at the Coronation of the then-“new” Queen Elizabeth in 1953, he transitioned to the Royal Canadian Air Force and landed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He moved frequently as a Military Policeman serving on bases and radar stations in most provinces and territories. He retired while serving in Ottawa where, in 1973, he met his wife, Mary.
He went on to be a direct salesman selling BelKraft cookware, silverware and china. He also took up writing letters to the editor in the Ottawa Citizen and calling in to the radio where he was dubbed ‘Common Sense Ken’ by the host, Lowell Green. Twenty years later, in 1997 he ran for City Council and was elected to represent ward G5: Orleans South. Leaving his work in sales allowed Ken to tirelessly give his time to the people of Gloucester, subsequently choosing to retire when the amalgamation with the City of Ottawa was announced.
In his private life, Ken published a book of poetry, and he and his wife Mary had many years together in their cottage on the north shore of Wolfe Lake.
Ken lived until the age of 91 and he was always known as a happy man who had a story and a chat for everyone. “Give me five minutes with anyone and we’ll have three things in common.”
Donations can be made to the Dementia Society of Ottawa (https://dementiahelp.ca/) or the Canadian Legion (https://www.legion.ca/).
A wake will be held in Orleans at the Heritage Funeral Complex (1250 Trim Road) on Thursday, July 25 from 2-4 pm, 7-9 pm and Friday, July 26 from 11 am – 2 pm with a United service to be held in the chapel, officiated by Rev. Molly Bell at 2 pm, and reception to follow. His burial will be held at a later date in Westport.
It is with very sad news that I hear the passing of a former colleague on Gloucester Council, Ken was always very involved in our community and highly respected I was always pleased to run into Ken while in the community and I attended many events at Résidence St Louis where ken was residing when they built the new independent living area at St Louis, he always greeted me with a very welcoming hand shake and was always very proud of his time in neighboring Gloucester Council, you will be sadly missed by many in our community and my condolences go out to his children and grandchildren that he was so proud of. Rest in peace Ken
To Jennifer, Dennis, Family Members & Friends,
The members of the Canadian Forces Supplementary Radio (SUPRAD) System Oldtimers Association were saddened by the news of Ken’s passing. Even though it has been a good number of years since Ken retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force, (1973), we did have a few of our members who fondly remembered him. In the early 1960’s, Ken was one of the military policemen stationed at Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Gloucester, located south of Ottawa. Naval Radio Station Gloucester was the home school for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) operators and technicians utilizing High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) to aid in the combat against German U-boats in World War II. HMCS Gloucester evolved into a military SIGINT (code breaking) communications training establishment. As a result of the heightened security requirements that surrounded HMCS Gloucester, Ken’s job to protect the property and its assets was very important. When we read in Ken’s obituary – « Give me five minutes with anyone and we’ll have three things in common », it reminded us of the kind of likeable person he was. Please know that as members of your extended military family, we will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
‘Friends Forever’
Ray Lebeau
To Jennifer, Dennis, Family Members & Friends,
In the condolence message that I posted earlier, I neglected to say that Ken never forgot who his friends were. Because he truly valued every friendship that he ever made, Ken became a Life Member of our SUPRAD Oldtimers Association. At the entranceway to the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Leitrim All Ranks Mess, there is a SUPRAD Oldtimers Association Tree of Life. Now, in loving memory of Ken, a small bronze cross will be affixed to the leaf that has his name on it. Also, at our June 2025 Annual Reunion – Service of Remembrance, that will be held at the Gloucester Cairn (located at the site of the old HMCS Gloucester), Ken will be remembered by having his name read during the service.
‘Friends Forever’
Ray Lebeau
My condolences on the passing of a lovely man.
Ken was incredibly helpful to me in his capacity as city councillor.
I was doing community events and he was a wealth of information, advice and support.
An annual event for my family was to take my children for a drive to see the Christmas lights on Taffy Lane.
A great loss to the community.