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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
KENNEY, Thomas Edwin (Ted) - Ted was born in Montreal the only child of Rubina Agnes (nee Holmes) and Thomas Mark Kenney on March 28, 1927. Tom and Ruby loved the outdoors and as a youngster would take Ted on canoe excursions on the Back River out of the Cartierville Boating Club. They spent summers at the cottage in the Laurentians where Ted developed his athletic abilities early on, very much like his father and with his coaching. Tom built a rink in the back yard each winter teaching Ted to play hockey which he did notably well during his high school years.
Finishing high school Ted enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy as Able Seaman for the last year of WW II which included a good-will tour of the Falkland Islands, Rio de Janeiro. Upon discharge he became a draftsman working for CDHowe. At the same time he returned to the Cartierville Boating Club where he distinguished himself together with Bryan Gregor-Pearse, Vince Ramsey and Bernie Brunt winning Dominion Championships in Double Blade Four in canoeing 1949 -1952.
Ted and his wife Connie (Franklin) were married in 1956. the beginning of a 63 year marriage during which time Ted had several career moves first to Sept Iles ,Quebec, then Fredericton NB, back to Montreal, then Vancouver BC and finally in 1974 to Edmonton AB. These were happy, challenging times, marked by exceptional friendships wherever they relocated.
Edmonton was a good place to live out the rest of their lives (45 years). Ted joined Great West Life (GWL) as a Retirement/Financial Planner a career which suited him very well. He made lasting friends throughout his life and was respected and loved by the many he supported and helped.
After retiring from GWL Ted was hired as a consultant for Capital Industrial Sales and Service, a company owned by colleagues and friends Ron and Marie Eade. These were good happy years and a nice transition to real retirement.
Ted was happy, fulfilled and in excellent health until his late 80’s when he suffered a mild stroke. Life continued to be good until three years ago when he had a fall, however recovering quite well and able to attend a Day Program three days a week until it was closed down because of the pandemic. Further physical difficulties required a move first to Rosedale Senior’s Living then in July 2020 to Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre where he died of COVID-19 just three months later. This was not the ending he deserved nor would have hoped for but the result of the sad times in which we are now living.
Ted is survived by his wife, Connie; his sister-in-law, Beverley Gregor-Pearse and her two sons, Mark and Eric and grandson, Kyle; two brothers-in-law, Sydney Franklin (Dartmouth, NS) and Warren Franklin and Norah (Sidney BC).
Ted has been cremated and will be laid to rest beside his Mother in the Edmonton Cemetery.
Too many of our friends have predeceased us however we have received many thoughtful condolences for which we are very grateful. (Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home)
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