Mr. Ken Sloggett

Ken had three sisters and three brothers. (Edward, Lester, Edna, Velma, Jack and Gladys)

He was a soldier, husband, father, friend, River man, photographer and proud Canadian

Worked at Web’s gas station on Bridge Street right after the war and the Canadian Carborundum for 30 years and retired in 1981 at the age of 65

1936 Ken joins the army at the age of 20

1939-1945 joined the Lincoln and Welland Regiment 4th Armored Division Infantry and Tank Support

Served overseas in England and on the 25th of June entered France at Caen

1942 Stationed in England for 2 years

1944 Served in France for 11 months

Married Naomi Jane Trelford on December 15, 1945 and would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in December

Eight children – Wayne, Edd, Andy, Glenn, Bill, Dawn, Mark, Jennifer

His father began taking him fishing at 6 years old at the Maid-Of-The-Mist and went scavenger hunting along the river

He had his first encounter with a dead body at the age of seven. His father sent him to get some minnows out of the seaweed in the “Eddy”. He nearly died when he saw a floating dead body, and always remembered what his father told him on that day, “Don’t ever be afraid of the dead. It’s the live ones you gotta worry about!”

The Parks Police often called Ken and his cousin Wesley Hill to aid in the rescue of someone in trouble on the river. They were both instrumental in developing the EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) and had done extensive training in case they were needed. The NPP were aware that Ken knew the river currents, eddies and banks like the back of their hands.

He would also be called for the gruesome task of recovering any unfortunate victims who had lost their lives along the river. He often put his life on the line when he swam out in the whirlpool with only a rope around his waist.

Cousin to the famous Hill family Ken always had a passion for stunters and anything of historical importance on the river. He also has accumulated a lot of information on the history of the river.

Stunters often contacted Ken because of his expertise regarding the river. He always tried to talk them out of taking the plunge. He knew first hand that they were putting their lives at risk, and more importantly the men that would eventually get them out risk their lives as well.

At the age of 69 he was given the title “Safety Man” by Dave Munday’s crew. He risked his life when he went into the water at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. He wanted to get Dave out of his sealed barrel as quickly as possible because he knew Dave couldn’t swim, and was deathly afraid of water. Two years later he was called Dave’s Guardian Angel when he talked to Dave by walkie talkie while going through the upper rapids in another barrel. Karel Soucek also contacted Ken months before he went over the Horseshoe Falls. He later died when he tried to reenact the stunt at the Houston Astro Dome. Karel didn’t have any family here, and Ken found out that his last request was to be buried on Niagara Parks Commission Property. The NPC would not allow that, so Ken decided to donate one of his family grave plots at the Lundy’s Lane Cemetery because he knew that it was owned by the Niagara Parks Commission.

Ken had the following interviews:

- Writer Ben Wicks

- Writer/t.v. host George Bailey

- Historian Sherman Zavitz

- Japanese and American journalists for Documentaries

- Hamilton Spectator , Niagara Falls Review, Buffalo Evening New, St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Gazzette

- T.V. and Radio News Programs

Received the “Chief’s Commendation” from the Niagara Regional Police for “Acts of Unusual Alertness and Initiative which assist the Police”. On December 29, 1989 Ken observed and followed a male person who had robbed someone’s house and followed them to a second residence and then notified the police. The male was subsequently arrested by police and convicted of the offence of breaking and entering. Ken was 73 years old at the time.

Rob's tribute

We are here today to celebrate the life of Ken Sloggett. Although I have only known him for a short period of time I felt a special connection to this very special man. Probably from spending so much time around his wonderful family. I have grown very close to some of them over the years. Especially Naomi (mom) oh what a wonderful lady. I love her dearly. I can easily see where you all get your many special characteristics.

Dad and I often talked . He told me stories reminiscent of those my grandfather used to tell me. ( himself a war veteran ) Mostly about history but sometimes about lifes more simple things. The birds in the backyard, the weather outside or where we wanted to get fish and chips for dinner from. I enjoyed those times. I felt at peace while with him. I listened attentatively and was always fascinated by how he always found a way to relate what ever he was speaking about to his family. He was so proud of all of you. We shared a lot of the same views on many things. Mostly political. Jennifer often would tell me while we were carrying a conversation.... “ you sound like my father “. I liked when she said that.

What i’ll remember most about him besides of coarse his obvious love for our great country, is undoubtedly what he said to all of us in parting .... to

“ Keep your head down “, you never know what you might find. “ I always agreed..... I wouldn’t dream of not. I can’t complain though, it ended up making me about 63 cents richer over the years. But today for the first time I don’t agree. Today we should all keep our heads up high. High because we’re proud of everything he has accomplished in his 93 years of life. If I could ever be one tenth of the man he was I would consider myself very very fortunate.

Dad Thank you for making us all better people. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help so many people and for all the people’s lives you’ve made a difference in , in your own special way

There’s a quote I find appropriate to leave with and its

If the legacy of a mans life is measured by the lives he’s touched and how much he is loved, then a big piece of Ken Sloggett will live on in all of us.

. Rest well Dad We’ll miss you.

Mark's tribute

My father has told us from as far back as I can remember that he was not going to seek revenge or loose sleep over his enemies, He was just going to out live them. And from what I have witnessed the last few days and from what I can see here today, he has.

In the last couple of days I started to list some of the things my father loved, I soon realized that he loved a lot of things and the list was getting very long. So I pared it down to just a few.

He loved his country.

He loved his Wife.

He loved his Family.

He loved his Friends.

He loved nature.

He loved God.

You may be asking yourself, in what order did he love these things?

The other night my mother who is very wise simplified it for us in a conversation we were having on who was his favorite. (In our family we have this on going joke on who is my father’s favorite. We would kid even with him in the room). She paused and this is what she told us. He loved whom or what needed him most (repeat).

He loved his country.

He put his life on the line for his country and went to war in the name of freedom.

He loved his wife.

He would tell my mother every day for almost 64 years that he loved her. But in the last little while because of his memory loss he forgot.

While in the hospital I witnessed something that I will never forget.

Every time my mother walked in the room my father would stretch out his arms put them around my mother and give her a kiss. Then tell her that he loved her very much. When my father would hear her voice, even in his last days and being very weak he would manage to turn his head and open his eyes just briefly, and when you looked in his eyes you could tell he was smiling.

He loved his family.

While in the hospital I spent the night with my father. He was very weak and he could not speak.

We were alone and he was sleeping and I was trying to get some sleep in the most uncomfortable chair. I was leaning forward with my head in my hands and for some reason I turned and looked at my dad. His eyes were wide open, (pause) he winked at me then closed his eyes and went back to sleep. That was a gift that I will never forget for as long as I live.

He loved his friends.

He loved nature.

I grouped these two together. Because animals where also my fathers friends.

He loved to feed the birds the squirrels and even the skunks.

A couple of day before my father died it was raining and a robin smashed into the window leaving the shape of its wings and tail feathers. The way the wings were spread out was like a shape of an angel. On the day my father died we opened the widows and put up the blinds so he could hear the birds.

That day a robin came and looked in the widow and later a squirrel was on the roof looking down into the room.

He loved god.

My father told us that he didn’t need to go to church. He learned to talk to god in the trenches during the war. He also told me in the hospital that he had a direct line to god, just like pastor John.

Right now my father is looking down at all the people in uniform and all that we are witnessing here today and saying with a lot of pride.

Now isn’t that a site to see.

Edd's tribute,

Over the last while a lot of words have been said and expressions made in reference to our Dad. Some of the words…… Hero, selfless,…… caring,…….. cranky,………bugger…….. Father,……. Cranky Father,….. Husband,……….. companion and friend.

But most of all the one characteristic that forever shone through and especially in the toughest of times was his sense of humour. A sense of humour he has passed along to all of his children.

As a matter of fact………………. If my Dad were standing here in front of you today…….. he would look round the room, scowl and say “What’s going on? Why all the long faces? You’d think you people were at a funeral!”……………

The tribute I am presenting today is not of a life lost but a life lived. A very short tribute to a very long life.

Lived by an extraordinary man who had extraordinary life experiences.

The term or title River Man certainly applies. A title he was proud to have associated with his name. He would see it as a badge of honour. His escapades along the Niagara River were second to none.

The stories are endless and the legacy will also be endless………..timeless.

The service of his country, as you can see around you, carried the same…… if not more so……… dedication and resolve. He was again committed to his fellow man…… his fellow soldier……. his fellow…. human being. And yet at the same time compassionate even toward the enemy……. Another story he shared with us….but only, when he thought we were able to digest the facts without prejudice. Any of us who were fortunate enough to hear it would be glad to share that story with you.

Ah yes!…….. Stories……………he had lots of them. You had to pry some of them from him but when he did finally share them they played out like a classic novel, including all the drama and humour that you would expect………. Sometimes they were short stories…………….. as my family will attest……….. he left all the long stories…. to our brother ……..Bill.

Dad enjoyed the very simple things in life as he was a very modest man of very modest means.

Here are just a couple……..

Going fishing with his kids. Fishing trips that included a number of neighbourhood kids as well…. As was mentioned earlier, we would travel in a model A Ford with more faces… than I’m sure were legally allowed …….smiling happily through every car window.

Hunting too was a favourite pass time. With Wes, Lloyd, Jack, other friends and…….. his boys. Plus as a benefit at times it provided food for our very large family.

Then, later on in life he would enjoy……..

Many trips to Lane’s in Stevensville on Thursdays with Dean to get fish and chips. He loved fish and chips and onion rings. The staff at Lane’s would spoil him terribly but of course he, pardon the pun, ate it all up! Thank-you to Tammy and the staff at Lane’s and of course Dean.

A drive with any one of us was fun for him too……all over the place…..seeking out historical land sites or cemeteries or…….. just a ride along the river. He was pleased with any of it. Most especially the trips around the peninsula with his buddy John Harkness . He and John would exchange an endless knowledge of the history of Niagara and of the war years. Thank-you for that John!

Breakfast at his very special friend Pat Simon’s restaurant was a treat for all involved. He had been a customer and friend there for over 50 years………Upon arrival he was greeted like Norm from Cheers would have been……….You’d hear from every corner a warm greeting of hello. Then he would sit down and Pat would come directly over to him and say “Hi Kenny, how are you doing today?” And away they would go. There was a ton of knowledge in those conversations………on both sides of the table.

We all took our turns taking him there as often as we were able.

He loved to banter and flirt with the ladies. Especially Rose, Pat and Lola when they were there and of course more recently (his mistress) Pearl. They all spoiled him with extra attention and a whole lot of love. Thank-you Pat and ladies for being so special to him.

To close I would like to mention a couple of very special thank-you’s. To Wade, Dianne and family for making the trip, thank you. To Dave Munday for your enormous efforts to be here. And to the staff in Unit C at the GNGH for the care, compassion and respect they showed our Dad in his final days. There are too many to list and I don’t want to leave anyone out. I will however mention Dr. Frank for his care for Dad and his kindness to all of our family during a very difficult time.

To our friends and relatives on behalf of my Mother and all the Sloggett family we thank you very very much.

Thank you,

I have the greatest admiration and love for my father. He has dedicated his life to his country, his community and his family. Dad is and always will be my hero.

We have eight children in our family and Dad always worked hard to provide for us. Factory work is not an easy job, but Dad stayed at the plant until he retired at 65. Last year, dad turned 90 and as a present I took him for a ride in the helicopter. You should have seen the smile on his face. This December my parents will be celebrating their 62 wedding anniversary.

At the age of 20, Dad joined the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, and became a sergeant in the Second World War. He served overseas for three years and lost a lot of his friends and comrades during that time. My brothers, sister and I have grown up with a great respect for our soldiers and our country, and learned never to take our freedom for granted. We should always be thankful for what others did for us.

I remember hirn proudly marching with his regiment in different parades we attended as a family. We would go to the cenotaph on Clifton Hill to pay our respects every year on Nov. 11. I watched as dad removed his green beret and bowed his head in remembrance of those men who had given their lives so long ago. That solemn look on his face and the sadness in his eyes, are forever burned in my mind. His thoughts were in another place, somewhere across the ocean. I was always so proud to see him standing there in his uniform. I thought he looked so handsome. He was always so meticulous about his appearance and I remember how he'd polish his medals and shoes till you could see yourself in them. His shirts and pants had to be pressed just so. Like a soldier, he would do them himself. He'd always get his hair cut the day before, and trimmed his mustache, so that it was just so.

Dad grew up in Niagara Falls and spent a lot of time with his father along the Niagara River. There, he learned to fish and would often go scavenger hunting along the banks. He became an authority on the river and its currents and eddies. The Niagara Parks Police knew this and would often call Dad and his cousin to aid in the rescue of someone in trouble on the river.

Dad, his cousin Wesley Hill, Sandy Sanderson and a few other men were instrumental in developing the Emergency Measures Organization. Dad would often be called for the gruesome task of recovering the unfortunate victims who had lost their lives in the mighty Niagara.

Dawn Tarrant and Ken Sloggett at Simon’s Restaurant

There were many times he would put his own life on the line when he swam out into the whirlpool with only a rope around his waist to make a recovery. Some of my brothers have also worked alongside Dad on different occasions, along the river. It wasn't something you looked forward to, just something that had to be done.

One day, after we were out f ishing along Chippawa Creek, we drove over the bridge by the boat club in Chippawa. There was a crowd of distraught people at the water's edge. Dad quickly pulled the car over and started removing his socks arid shoes as he ran back towards the crowd. A young boy had drowned whi le swimming with friends. Dad gave him CPR until the ambulance arrived and continued to work on him until he got to the hospital. He quickly asked someone if they would mind driving his family home before he left for the hospital. I remember him coming home later that afternoon. He sat on his chair in the living room, in total silence for a long time. We didn't ask any questions, his face said it all. I know he felt that if he had only got there a few minutes earlier, he could have saved that boy's life.

Another time, a young boy was fishing with his father in the eddy at the base of the falls. He slipped from the rock they were on and fell into the river and drowned. For days after that dad would drive along the river and stop at different check points. He would get out: his binocu-

lars and check the river bank and eddies for the boy's small body. The sadness on my Dad's face I will never forget. I'm sure he was thinking of his own children. Dad wanted to find that little boy so his parents could give him a proper burial and be at peace knowing where their son had been laid to rest. That was always his motive for doing the gruesome job he did.

My father is a cousin to the famous Hill family and has always had a passion for stunters and anything of historical importance on the Niagara River. Over the years, he has been contacted by a number of men, who wanted to go over the falls. Dad would spend countless hours trying to persuade them not to. He told them the risk they would be taking. They could lose not only their lives, but jeopardizes the lives of anyone who attempted a rescue. He knew the perils of the river and always warned them they should respect its power. Sometimes, they listened. Other times they were determined to do what they had set out to do.

On one occasion, my father was "Safety Man" when Dave Munday made his first trip over the Horseshoe Falls. I stood at the Maid of the Mist listening as the Parks Police gave updates to the officers standing by me. My heart went in my throat when I overheard someone say that my dad was going to climb down the bank to get Dave out. Once again he put his life on the line. He tied a rope around his waist and climbed down the slippery slope and out into the water, so he could unbolt the hatch to free Dave from his barrel. I did a lot of praying that day. I wanted them both to be all right. Dad never thought about himself. He just wanted Dave to be safe and on dry land. He had to get him out as quickly as possible. He knew that Dave was deathly afraid of the water. He didn't want him to panic.

Dawn Tarrant

My best friend Jeri and I recently took a computer course at Stamford Collegiate, so we could obtain enough credits to graduate from high school. Part of the course was learning how to do PowerPoint presentations. Our teacher told us we-,; had to do a presentation for the class. I knew right away that I wanted to do it on my dad. The day of the presentations, my husband brought Dad to our class so he could see my presentation. Everyone in the class loved it. There were a lot of tears that day, and they thought my dad was a real celebrity. I am proud to call him my father. Ken_Slogget will always be my hero.