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Ken passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 5:40 pm at Shuswap Lake General Hospital after a short battle with cancer, his wife and daughter at his side.

Ken was born in Innisfail, Alberta to Albert and Dorothy Thomson. He grew up in Red Deer and Calgary, Alberta. He met the love of his life, Joan Finley and they were married in Calgary on August 27, 1960. They were blessed with 5 children.

Ken apprenticed as an electrician at the CPR Ogden Shops and worked there for several years, and then he went to work for the Petro Gas plant in Balzac, Alberta. They moved to Airdrie, Alberta in 1978, where he also started up Cal-Air Electric, while still working at the gas plant. In 1980, they moved to Sicamous and bought Cruise Along Houseboats, which they operated until 1989. From there, Ken and Joan became agents for the Mohawk Gas Station in Sicamous until 1995. During this time, Ken also ran his electrical business, Kenjo Services and worked at this until his death. Ken got a chance to work at his trade again with Twin Anchors Manufacturing in 1996 and he worked there until his retirement in February, 2009. Shortly after, as a retirement gift from Twin Anchors, Ken and Joan had the opportunity to spend three weeks in the UK, touring parts of Ireland, Britain and Scotland – something Ken had always wanted to do.

During his lifetime, Ken was involved in many volunteer organizations, including; Ogden Minor Baseball, Sicamous Minor Baseball, Sicamous Girl’s Softball, Sicamous Chamber of Commerce and Shuswap Tourism. He was one of the founding members of the Shuswap Lakes Houseboat Association, and several other non-profit organizations. Ken’s passion was the Sicamous Lions Club, where he held every office except secretary and was Zone Chairperson for two years. He loved going to conventions and meeting old and new Lions. Ken was also elected to the District of Sicamous council for four terms, and was very active in this until he became ill in April.

Following the death of their daughter, Marcy, in 1994, he and Joan raised their grandson, Jordan. This gave Ken a chance to be involved again in sports like baseball, soccer and in minor hockey for the first time. He loved going to watch hockey games that all his grandsons were involved in.

Ken was pre-deceased by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law (Frieda and Herb), his daughter (Marcy) and his brother-in-law (Floyd). He leaves to mourn his passing: his wife of 50 years, Joan; his brothers, Wilf, Arnold and Barry; his sisters, Shirley (Bill) Keylock and Cherie (Al) Gaetz; his brother-in-laws, Bob (Faye) and Milton (Heather) Finley; his sons, Craig (Denice) and Blaine (Ako); his daughters, Karen (Rod) Hanner and Brandi Starkell (James Smith); his grandchildren, Jordan Thomson (Kaci Muskett); Shea, Samantha, Tristan and Chase Thomson; Justin, Keenan, Riley and Tayler Starkell; Chiyo and Kengo Thomson; step-grandchildren, Heather and Karver Smith and several nieces and nephews.

Living in Sicamous and being an active member of the community for the past 30 years, Ken will be sadly missed in the Shuswap community as a council member, an electrician, a businessman, an active Lion member and a good friend.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Twin Anchors Manufacturing Plant, 675 Old Town Road in Sicamous on June 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Ken’s memory can be made to the Sicamous Lions Club, 1091 Shuswap Ave, Sicamous B.C. V0E 2V1, or to the Easter Seal Camp Winfield, 1790 Davidson Road, Winfield B.C. V4V 1J8.



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