Ken is survived by his wife, (Elinor) Jean Porterfield, children Douglas Porterfield (Joanne Beckler) and Patricia Raviolos, grandchild Prima Haraga, stepchildren Carol Cosco and Gord Bedford, stepgrandchildren, Amanda McDonagh (Colin), Katherine Raven (Jesse), Leah Bedford and Andrew (AJ) Cosco, brother Keith Porterfield (Mary), and nieces Lynn and Brenda Porterfield and nephew David Porterfield.
Ken was born on October 23, 1929 in Elbow, Saskatchewan to Beryl and Sloan Porterfield. He graduated from Balfour High School, winning the Governor General's Academic Medal as the high school student graduating with the highest grade point average. During high school, Ken worked in an automotive shop, helping support the family during his father's ill health. After graduation, Ken obtained an auto mechanics license and shortly after that applied for and began work at General Motors, to start his life long career there, rising to Regional Manager of Fleet Sales. As part of that job, he enthusiastically assisted various companies and organizations with GM fleet leases during Expo 86. During that time, he also caught the pin collecting bug, which allowed him great opportunities to meet and talk with people. After his retirement, Ken worked for Flag Chev Olds dealership selling fleet vehicles.
Ken married Lorraine Kooting in 1961 and they welcomed two children, Douglas and Patricia, into their home. In 1982, Ken married (Elinor) Jean Schmidt. and welcomed her children, Carol and Gord Bedford, into the family.
Ken is remembered for having great integrity in how he lived his life. If Ken said he would do something, you could count on him doing it. He taught by doing and showing and there are countless times that his children and grandchildren remember asking him to fix something and he would patiently take them along to learn how to fix it themselves. Sometimes they joked with him that if they asked Ken what time it was, he would tell them how to build the watch!
Ken was kind and generous with his friends and family and judicious in offering advice. He is fondly remembered by many who worked with him as well and he enjoyed hosting or attending celebrations and singing with Jean in choir. He kept up with a large circle of friends after he retired and there were many visits full of laughter and stories. His children fondly remember camping and water activities in Osoyoos and winter ski trips.
Ken was active all his life with various hobbies, almost all of which involved some element of collaboration with other people, whether it was ham radio, water skiing and flying in a kite behind the boat, snow skiing, building boats, building or repairing violins, or fixing cars. He used to say that the only thing he couldn't fix was a refrigerator and he wanted to get training to fix that lack of knowledge.
The family will be holding a small private ceremony in November at Ocean View Memorial Park in Burnaby where his ashes will be interned.
On February 29, 2020, all are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life for Ken at Redwoods Golf Course in Langley from 2-6 pm . Condolences can be sent c/o Carol Cosco at Suite 1210 - 988 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, V3M 0L5 or [email protected].
The family would like to thank Burnaby Hospital and St. Michael's hospice staff, and Ken's personal caregivers, Vanessa and Sarah, for their care and dedication.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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