Kenneth "Ken" Donald Vinge

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 1^st, 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