Kenneth William Gosselin

It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth Gosselin announces his passing at the age of 85 years on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario after a brief illness.

Ken was born on March 1, 1930 in Fort Frances to Alfred and Elizabeth Gosselin. In the early years Ken and his family lived at Rocky Inlet. Ken and his siblings were schooled on the travelling train that stopped on the rail spur every few weeks when it passed through. He used to jump the train and catch it into town and back via the tracks across the lake through what is now the 5 mile area, long before the construction of the Causeway. Ken worked at Herrem’s Woodworking as a young man where he made his own pair of wooden skis which we proudly cherish. He started working in the mill at the young age of 18. Prior to his retirement at age 60 (1990), after 42 years of proud service, he was Lead Digester Operator (Cook). Not only did Ken work in the mill, he ventured out on his own, hauling pulp, gravel, and even working for George Armstrong Co. on several projects. One of these projects was the highway section from Emo through to Nestor Falls. Ken also ran his own sawmill located on his property on Rainy Lake. He started his own business K.W.G. Sand and Gravel and proudly ran it with his son Kim for over 20 years.

When Dad was 22 he married the love of his life, Elsie Miller, they were together almost 62 years. They lived in Fort Frances on Phair Ave. for a number of years before moving to Shortreed Road where they resided for over 50 years. Ken and Elsie had one son, Kim. Ken was very proud of his grandchildren Trace and Kennedi, never missing any activity they participated in. Trace and Kennedi grew up sitting in the Backhoe in a special seat he installed (trainer seat) so as to have them learn how to use it. He loved having his family next door as he was able to stay in his own home until his passing. Family lunches with his brothers and sisters meant everything to him.

Ken was a very hard worker and did not wait for help, he just got to work. He built his own house installing the electrical, plumbing, doing the finishing, and cement work. Ken was very creative with plans for jobs, he had the talent to create a project in his head and transition it to the real world. He loved to tinker, garden, woodwork, and especially work in his shop. Although he slowed down in the past few years Ken still worked hard at home, clearing the snow with the backhoe, cutting grass on the riding lawnmower, and supervising jobs that needed to be done. Ken enjoyed stopping for a coffee in the mornings with his many friends at Tim Hortons, McDonalds, or even A&W.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Elsie; parents Alfred and Elizabeth; parents in law Joe and Mary Miller; sister Laura McConnell; sibling in laws Charlie Miller, Joe Miller, Jack Miller, Bill Miller, Arnie Miller, Dorothy Crawford, Claire Brennard, Mary Faulkner and Ruth Miller.

Ken leaves behind his son Kim and wife Jo-Ann, grandchildren Trace and Kennedi; siblings Fred (Evie) Gosselin, Bob (Pat) Gosselin, Keith (Joanne) Gosselin, Joyce (Jim) Crowley, Elaine Bone; sibling in laws Rose (Albert) Payne, John Miller, Jean McHugh, Ed (Leigh) Miller, special friends Pat and Donna Dittaro and their children Jade (Jeff) and Cody as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday May 5, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Green Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be offered at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday may 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Frances, Ontario. Father Victor DeGagne will officiate with the interment in the Holy cross Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Brad Miller, Rick Faulkner, Warren Gosselin, Carey Gosselin, Brian Hall and Mike Brennard.

If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be given to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneral homefortfrances.com