No small talk for Ken. He talked unions and activism with Carolyn Blaind



During the many years I knew Ken and so enjoyed working with him on our NDP campaigns, attending social gatherings and meetings, my most memorable times were spent one to one.

He didn’t spend much time on perfunctory, cordial chats. His keen mind, with a natural intuitiveness and genuine inquisitiveness, elicited conversation on many topics. Our favorites were often sharing stories of mutual interest.

As a young man, Ken worked in the logging camps and was delighted to hear that my mother was once an organizer in the camps. This knowledge led to many other conversations about social justice and activism. He was a man full of curiosity and introspection. Always pragmatically optimistic, one could not feel disillusioned by life when in his presence.

He was loyal to his beliefs and principles, a seeker of knowledge which he freely shared. Always an educator, he captivated his listeners, challenged critical thinking and respected differences of opinions.

I loved Ken’s sense of humour, his contagious laugh and consider myself privileged to have had this special relationship with him. 

His magnetic personality, engaging smile and twinkling eyes (he was such a flirt!) are what I shall remember and miss most. And his warmth of character, always, his warmth of character. 

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