Ken Hutchison passed away unexpectedly of an aggressive form of cancer on Sunday February 17th, 2008, at the age of 60. Lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend, Judy Hutchison and daughter, Krista Dickson (Tony) and son, Lee (Rebecca) and grandchildren Caelan, Talia and Brynn Dickson all of Comox, BC. Ken is also survived by his parents Lillian and Al Hutchison, of Stevenson Place, Comox and his brothers and their families, Doug (Fran), Graham (Shirley), Bill (Frankie) and Dan (Jenny).
Also left to mourn Ken are members of Judy’s family, his mother-in –law, Irene Lesnick (Winnipeg, MB), Judy’s siblings; Stanley Lesnick (Bev), Lynn Smith (Bill), Patricia Schwartz (Dan) and Karen Lesnick (Tom Sewart) and their children.
Born in Chilliwack June 16, 1947, the second oldest of five sons, Ken spent his early years in Malaysia, England, Ontario and Alberta before moving to the valley, his real home, in his early teens. After leaving Courtenay High School Ken enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and following initial training in St. Jean P.Q. was posted to Gimli, MB where he met and married Judy Lesnick in the summer of 1969. From 1971 to 1983 Ken was stationed back at home where he worked for 407 and 409 Squadrons. It was during this time that Krista (1973) and Lee (1975) were born. After three years administrative work in Ottawa, Ken was involved in the RCAF’s purchase of the CF 18 at the McDonell Douglas detachment in St. Louis, Missouri. His military career then took him and his family to Winnipeg from 1988 to 1992. His final posting brought him back to his beloved home in Comox, Vancouver Island.
Ken retired from the military in 1994 and happily busied himself at Radio Shack before his ‘second’ retirement in 2004. He loved the valley and particularly enjoyed his early morning coffee and visits with his colleagues at the Comox wharf. Ken was a highly regarded member of the Courtenay & District Fish & Game Protective Association and spent many happy hours with his friends on the archery range. He was well-known for his marksmanship as well as his dedication as a volunteer at the club in both shooting and site preparation. Ken also served on the board at the Comox Air Force Museum.
Ken was most at home in the outdoors and he found great enjoyment in camping, canoeing, fishing and simply appreciating nature. Ultimately Ken will be best remembered and loved for his overwhelming and unconditional love of his family. More recently his three grandchildren provided a source of untold joy and delight. Caelan, Ken’s grandson tells us that Ken, his ‘papa’ has gone to heaven. Caelan says that heaven is like a big peaceful campground and that ‘papa’ has gone to reserve us all a campsite.
The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate and expert care of the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital. We are also grateful for assistance from Piercy’s Mt. Washington Funeral Home. The outpouring of love and support from relatives and friends has been magnificent and has both consoled and bolstered the family during this very difficult time.
A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held on Saturday March 8th at the Courtenay & District Fish & Game Club, 3780 Colake Road, Comox Lake. At 1:00 p.m. there will be a gathering time for family and friends and an informal program will begin at 1:30 p.m. Please come to share memories and remember Ken. To commemorate Ken’s great love of nature, his family will be placing a bench near the lake on the Fish and Game grounds. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Courtenay & District Fish & Game Protection Association toward a ‘tree of life’ in honour of Ken’s memory.
‘Quietly your memory we will always treasure,
Loving you always, forgetting you never.’