Kenneth Gordon Sinclair

Servitium Nulli Secundus

With heavy hearts we announce that Ken Sinclair, 82, of West Kelowna, B.C. passed away May 4, 2023 at Hospice House in Kelowna surrounded by his family. Ken was born April 3rd, 1941 to Jim and Edna (Taylor) Sinclair of Giroux Manitoba. Just a few months later, his father was bound for England with the Cdn. Army. As a young child, Ken spent a lot of time with his grandpa Taylor who used to call him his “quiet little helper.”  His father joined the RCAF after returning from the war and siblings Cliff and Eileen were born.

Ken’s career in the Armed Forces saw him proudly serve as a logistics officer in all three elements of Paul Hellyer’s integrated forces. Half of his 30 years were in Ottawa but a tour in Belgium and Germany and an exchange post with the USAF in Ohio were rounded out with a Navy billet with a destroyer refit program.

In 1964, Ken, a young army cadet, graduated from the University of Alberta and married Lillian Hosegood of Didsbury, Alberta, a nurse at UAH. After their stint in Antwerp and Mönschengladbach, they moved to Ontario and their children Murray and Lesley were born. They settled in Gloucester, east of Ottawa, and enjoyed raising their family. Ken loved classical music, foreign languages, and learning in general. He learned to ski with the kids and happily studied French alongside them. He was also well known for his humour. He was a quiet soul but if someone was laughing, you could bet they had just heard one of Ken’s classic zingers. On retirement in 1990, Ken and Lillian relocated to British Columbia. Ken tried his hand at real estate, and started volunteering with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, 243 Ogopogo Squadron, including a time as CO, and with the 883 Wing of the Air Force Association.

In 2009, Ken and Lillian separated, and Ken lived with Lola Fraboni of Westbank, who he met while both volunteered at Brookhaven.  Ken was a dedicated volunteer especially with Heart and Stroke and Cancer Research. In 2018, he relocated to Westwood Retirement home and was surrounded by a community of friends. These Westwood friends, his acceptance of Christ, his adult baptism, and the community at Westside Alliance Church were a great comfort to Ken in his last few years.

Ken was predeceased by his beloved brother Cliff and sister-in-law Christine. Ken will be missed by his dear sister Eileen (Ken), son Murray (Anna), daughter Lesley (Pietro), granddaughters (Sofia and Carmen), Lillian, many nieces and nephews and his special friend in Christ, Mardi. The family would like to thank Dr. Schriemer for his unmatched care, and all the dedicated staff at Hospice House.

A small gathering to celebrate Kenneth’s life will take place on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Hansons Arbor Westwood Chapel, 2541 Churchill Road, West Kelowna, with Pastor Jared Enns officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you donate to Heart and Stroke or to Canadian Cancer Research.