Kenneth Gordon McIntyre

A raconteur has left us. Kenneth Gordon McIntyre born September 26th 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, died June 29th 2022 in North Vancouver, with his daughter by his side. Kenneth filled many roles throughout his life: diver, archaeologist, teacher, actor, but his finest role was as a father. Predeceased by his parents, Ethel and David Gordon McIntyre, as well as Cheryll Dale, Kenneth spent much of his childhood in Vulcan, Alberta with his grandparents, Fanny and Sam Dingley. A graduate of John Oliver Secondary, Kenneth had the opportunity to return as a teacher, a highlight being the year he coached the JO Football team to their first ever senior football championship. Prior to his foray into education, Kenneth was a graduate of the RCAF Aeronautical Engineering School, with subsequent commissioned active service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Germany, and with 121 Communications and Rescue Squadron at Sea Island. Recruited into the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve initially as an Engineering Officer (Air), he was subsequently transferred to the Executive Branch as a watch-keeping officer aboard HMCS Ste. Thérèse, Terra Nova, Saskatchewan and Cowichan. Not content to stay above the waterline, Kenneth moved on to become the Officer-In-Charge of Reserve Diving Unit #4 in HMCS Discovery, until 1970, when he retired from the navy and became a Life Member of the Wardroom.

In 1961, after literally sweeping her off her feet during their time in the Vancouver Little Theatre, Kenneth married Marion Christie. Ten years in their respective classrooms led to them to pursue their Master’s Degrees in Archaeology at the University of Arizona, a time they considered one of the happiest and most enriching of their lives. Returning to Vancouver, Kenneth was diagnosed with melanoma and did not expect to see the New Year. Thanks to invasive surgery not only did Kenneth survive, but he also became a father. Resuming his teaching career at King George Secondary, a job and a place he loved, he taught Physics and Mathematics until his retirement in 1998.

Not one to spend his off work hours idle, Kenneth was active in the Naval Officers’ Association of British Columbia, where he had the honour of serving as President from 1985 through 1988. Being President during Expo ’86 was thrilling as we welcomed the world, including the navies of the world. Hosting the officers of USS Kinkaid was just one highlight of that remarkable time. Kenneth’s service to NOABC culminated in the awarding of a Bronze Medallion by the Naval Officers’ Association in 1988. Upon his retirement from teaching, Kenneth took the opportunity to return to the world of acting, taking a few small, but memorable parts, including the elderly gentleman whose death was ‘rescheduled’ on the series 'Dead Like Me'.

Kenneth was a charming, gregarious, generous man who could spin a yarn with the best of them. He was also the best Papa. His good nature and positive attitude were tested in his last few years due to vision problems and the slipping of his memories; nevertheless, when asked each morning how he was, he cheerfully replied “Still here!”. Ever the pragmatist, Kenneth knew one day there was a date set aside for him, and when that date came he accepted it with grace, as was his nature. Kenneth leaves his daughter and his beloved beagle to live life fully, as he would want, despite his profound absence.

A special thank you to everyone at Lynn Valley Care Centre, and the nurses at Lions Gate Hospital, especially Sam in Emergency. A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in my papa’s name to the BC Cancer Foundation or the BCSPCA.