Kenneth Herbert Thomas Griffiths

Kenneth (K.H.T.) Griffiths, December 18, 1929 - March 29, 2020. We are heartbroken to announce dad’s passing at home in Langley BC, in the presence of family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Predeceased by his parents Ivor and Mae, sister Gwynneth Simmonds and husband Don in Wales, and daughter Teresa Lindstrom and husband John of Brampton Ontario. Leaving to mourn, Sylvia, devoted wife of almost 70 years, son Tony (Judy), daughter Kay (Lew), son Gareth (Carolyn), grandchildren Karen, David, Robyn, Cara and Kevin; eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was an especially loving husband and father wholly dedicated to his family; we could all count on dad.

Dad and mom met when he was a young apprentice and she worked in the stores of the South Wales Switchgear factory when she was only 15 – when he asked for a rubber mallet and had to convince her that he wasn’t pulling her leg. They’ve been sweethearts for over seventy years since then and he has been a selfless and unfalteringly devoted caregiver to her for the last seven years.

His life began in Wales where he was educated as a Millwright (Journeyman) and then as an Engineer (Mechanical, Nuclear and Industrial). In his 40’s he returned to university to earn his Master’s in Engineering. In his early career in England and Wales he held such positions as Nuclear Weapons Designer and Plant Manager. He achieved the status of Fellow of the Institution of Nuclear Engineers. He was a Veteran of the Royal Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict in a group of 28 Special Armaments engineers for all of Britain. This experience, along with his service to Atomic Energy in both Britain and Canada led to lifetime adherence to the Official Secrets Act.

In 1962 he moved his family to Winnipeg where he was employed by Bristol Aerospace to work on the famous Black Brant sounding rocket. One cold winter in Winnipeg convinced him to move his family to Pembroke Ontario where he worked as an Engineer at the Chaulk River Atomic Energy plant. In 1966 Ken moved his family one last time to Newfoundland where he and Sylvia lived happily for 25 years before retiring to Ontario and Florida and ultimately BC. While in NL Ken made a huge contribution to adult education in the province in such positions as College Instructor, Department Head, Director, Principal and the Director of Curriculum for the Division of Adult Education, responsible for the establishment of numerous Vocational Schools across the Province. At the request of the Provincial Government, he took a sabbatical to assume the position of Manager of McNamara Industries in order to prepare the province for the upcoming oil industry, after which he returned to his previous educational duties. He was a man of high intellect, ability and integrity. He was well-respected - a gentleman’s gentleman.

Dad’s priorities were always wife and family first, then job, then friends and interests, with him having been the BC Seniors snooker champion for several years before giving up the game to spend more time with Sylvia. He still looked forward to Tuesday morning coffee hour chats and laughs with friends in his condominium.

He especially appreciated the visits and support of granddaughter, Karen Lindstrom, in his final months. He will be forever loved by his family and sorely missed by all who ever knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a Women’s or Homeless Shelter of your choice.