Kenneth John Smiley

Kenneth John Smiley was born in Salmon Arm, BC to parents Geoffrey (Hooper Smiley) and Mabel (Armistead). His early years were spent at the Family Homestead in Deep Creek along with his 4 brothers (Ron, Dennis, Robert, Leonard) and 1 sister (Jean). He helped with chores on the farm during challenging times when resources were scarce.  Ken was a member of the Enderby Pacific Coast Militia Rangers from June 20, 1943, to October 23, 1945. 

Ken had a natural talent and love for music. He learned to play guitar in his early teens with an enviable ability to play “by ear”, eventually playing various other instruments. He played at local dances - when not playing in a band, he enjoyed dancing and socializing. His love of music and dance led to the meeting of his future Wife (Virginia ‘Ginny’ Cummings) at a dance. Clearly smitten, he dared Ginny to marry him…. being a very determined woman, she took him up on his dare and they eloped to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho where they married on October 11, 1952.  They lived in Enderby and had three children: Debra, Patricia (Trish), and Gary. The family moved to Vancouver Island, residing at Shawnigan Lake, Harris Creek and Port Renfrew. While in Port Renfrew, they had their last child, Russell in 1962. Ken worked at various jobs to support his Family. He drove logging trucks, ran heavy equipment, worked at shop/mechanical repairs and eventually obtained his license as a Welder. 

In 1966, the family moved to Port Alberni where Ken worked at Alberni Engineering and Shipyard as a Welder.  While living there, he attained his Pilot’s license in 1967.  He thoroughly enjoyed flying his small plane to various destinations and engaging in “hangar chat” with friends at the airport.  

In anticipation of retirement, Ken and Ginny bought a half-acre wooded lot in Parksville (1977/78) and built a prefab rancher style house after clearing the land.  The home was surrounded by nature and became the family sanctuary where many special times were shared. Ken and Ginny were married for 49 years until he became widowed when Ginny had a second bout with Cancer and died in 2002.  

In retirement, Ken continued his passion for automobiles; he meticulously and patiently restored a few. He was often spotted around town in his restored ‘60’s Sunbeam Alpine convertible.  As an avid reader, he learned the “how to” of his hobbies and interests in order to do the best job he could.  He joined the Parksville Golden Oldies Seniors Association and had a lot of fun playing Badminton, Baseball, Golf, Hockey (Parksville Panters Hockey Team) and attending the PGOSA social events.  And, of course, there was music -  he played guitar and sang with “The Ramblers”.

In his late eighties, Ken was showing signs of dementia and, at 89, he moved into Stanford

Seniors Village where he remained until his recent passing. He touched many hearts at Stanford with his gentle demeanor: always polite, kind, gentle, helpful, sociable and rarely, if ever, did he complain.  

Ken is survived by his four children, four grandchildren (Nicole, Lee, Laura, Emily), and five great grandchildren (Ashlynn, Jordan, Connor, Marcus, Noah).

Words cannot sufficiently express the loss we, his Family, feel. We know that he will be missed, loved and remembered by those who knew him. A Life well lived; a Man well loved!