Kenneth "Ken" Donald Vinge
September 2nd, 2014
VINGE, Kenneth Donald
April 16, 1938 – September 02, 2014
It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce the tragic passing of our beloved spouse, father and grandfather. Ken suffered a massive stroke on September 1st, and passed away peacefully with his family at his side.
Ken was born in Norway Valley, Alberta, and fancied himself as one of the world’s greatest Vikings. He married Sylvia Kessler in 1962 and they settled in Edmonton, Alberta. They raised three children together, Ken Jr. (Pamela Gordon), Leah (Keith Bergen) and Veronica Lynn (Allen Belanger). After high school, Ken worked on the barges up north and ran heavy equipment to build various airstrips. He started his career with Otis Elevators in the 1960’s then went to work for the Province of Alberta, Elevators, Escalators and Fixed Conveyances Branch. Ken and Sylvia moved their young family to Calgary in 1973 where he continued to work for the government until his retirement in 1993.
Ken and Sylvia were very active in their children’s lives, education and sports. They coached, score-kept, drove teams to events, cheered and celebrated every life event in their family. All three children have the fondest memories of knowing their parents love and attention. In 1993 Ken and Sylvia started their own consulting company “Vinspec Ltd.” where he continued to work in the industry he loved so much.
Looking for a quieter lifestyle, Ken and Sylvia moved to Sundre in 1998. Sadly, Sylvia passed away in the year 2000 at the young age of 56.
Ken met his partner Carol Vis in 2001, and the family is forever grateful for the love and companionship that she shared with dad. Together, they continued to run Vinspec, and enjoyed travelling, gardening, cheating at cards and camping.
In recent years, he sold Vinspec Ltd. to John Simpkin, but stayed on as a consultant. He loved travelling throughout Alberta, the northern provinces and territories. Dad stayed active in the business, took a great deal of pride in his work, and maintained many friendships in the industry.
He also took immense pride in watching his three grandsons Theo (Meghan Potkins), Ty (Cristina Pasion) and Jonathan grow up. He loved attending their school functions and games. He claimed it was his duty to educate them in the Viking ways.
Ken attributed his longevity and good health to four basic food groups: dark rum, sweet desserts, black licorice pipes and pickled herring. His mediocre golf skills were greatly enhanced by his score-keeping. He loved playing cards and counting his winnings. He portrayed himself as quite an athlete in his younger years. The older he got, the greater athlete he thought he had been. He reveled in watching and critiquing sports, debating politics and world affairs. He had a penchant for story telling that will be sorely missed.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Neva; his brothers, Bernard, Irvin and Jim; and sister, Joyce, leaving him the sole patriarch of the Vinge Clan. This was a title that he wore very well, ask any of his nieces and nephews.
Ken was also predeceased by the well-travelled and pampered Bucky the Cat (who certainly got his fair share of steak.)
He is survived by his partner Carol; his three children and their spouses, his three grandchildren; Carol’s son, Cabel (Kelly) and their children, numerous grand pets, and his own beloved cat Alfie P. Cat (p is for perfect).
As per his wishes, Ken has been cremated. We are holding a Celebration of Life in dad’s honor on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The Leduc Heritage Grain Elevator, 5209 -47 Street, Leduc, Alberta. Please know that dad hated the color black, wear something casual and colorful, come prepared to share your memories and stories. If you cannot attend, please raise a glass of (cheap) dark rum and toast a truly remarkable man.
The family would like to thank the Sundre Hospital, Foothills Hospital, Emergency Department and Palliative Care Unit for their dedication, kindness, guidance and compassion during Ken’s last 24 hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, #200, 119 – 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1Z6. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.myalternatives.ca.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan in Annie
Messages:
Ken, Pam and Jon, we just heard the sad news of Ken's dad. Ken always spoke so fondly of him - it was clear he was a wonderful and loving father. Please know we are thinking of you all and wish we were closer to support you during such a difficult time.
I have lost a very good friend. Ken and I first met at an elevator seminar in Toronto in 1974 and we bonded right away. That led to 40 years of close friendship. I had the honour of having him as a guest in my home three times. Jan met him the last time and liked him, as she knew she would because of previous pleasant phone conversations. I was also made to feel at home in his home on the way to Banff. We had lots of good times together at elevator industry meetings in PEI, Halifax and various other places across Canada. On a lighter note, one of the most memorable occasions was at a meeting in Banff Springs Hotel. On the first day we found that we were unhappy with the food and accommodations. Ken made the management aware of this in no uncertain terms and said that we were checking out. They were very apologetic and said there would be no charge. We proceeded to the Rimrock Motel and found the accommodations very comfortable and enjoyed the hockey game with beer and black rum. Now that's class! We send our sincere condolences to Carol and the family. We share your loss. Jan and Arch
Ken, Pam and Jonathan - Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. It is a life-changing event to lose a parent, no matter what age we are when it happens.
My sincerest condolences to the Vinge family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I wanted to let Ken know that according to the current BC Museum Viking exhibit, the Scandinavian women always wore the household keys on a brooch or necklace and so perhaps we were in charge of even the rum cabinet I will miss Ken and the times I shared with Ken and Marcel.
I'm in Nova Scotia and won't be able to be there Saturday but I'm sending love and hugs to Lynn, Leah & Kenny. As I mentioned earlier, Valhalla will be much livelier with Ken there.
Friends and neighbors from the past remembering you all at this difficult time.... We extend our most sincere sympathy to Ken, Leah, Victoria and families. Marg, Curtis, Valerie Hainstock & families
To Ken Vinge Jr., My deepest condolences on your loss. It appears that your Dad was a true “Viking” and enjoyed a full life with his family as the focus. Keep Smiling!! Bill Connauton
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ken's family. I was fortunate to have gone to school with the Vinge kids, and remember Oscar and Neva well. In the winter we would travel to one another's home to play cards. I especially remember playing cards and just playing at Ken's home. Such great memories! Have tried to follow the journey of the family. Thank you for letting me say good bye to Ken and the best years of our lives.
My condolences to Ken's family. I hired Ken (Vinspec) as our elevator and escalator inspector at the Calgary Airport back in 1993. I knew very little about this equipment and business and told Ken as much. He told me he would educate me as much as I wanted to learn and he was true to his word. He always had time to explain things and did an excellent job. He did not pull punches on his inspections but was respected by everyone in the business. Ken's honesty and integrity along with his great sense of humour made his annual visits something to look forward to.