Kenneth Augustine Hawley
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: November 9th, 2014
It is with deep sadness that the family of Kenneth Hawley reports his passing on Nov. 9, 2014, in the Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Born in Port Morien in 1923, he was the son of William J. Hawley and Effie Ann Hawley (nee McDermid).
Ken is survived by his wife of 72 years of marriage, Mora Rose Hawley (nee MacKinnon) and seven children, Carolyn Hawley, Vancouver, B.C., Kenny Hawley, Vancouver, B.C., Dolores Sampson (Clifford), Brampton, Ont., Cheryl Joseph (Richard), Sydney, N.S., Murdock Hawley, Sydney, N.S., Christopher Hawley (Jane), Toronto, Ont. Ken is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his eldest daughter Mary Elaine Campbell (Danny), White Rock, B.C. as well as brothers, Joseph, George and Basil and sisters, Marie (Joe Campbell), Bridget (Steve Andrecyk), Anna (Ron MacDonald), Zita (Ron Kimmer) and Anastasia.
Ken first worked for the CNR and then the Sydney Steel Plant as a brakeman. He also served in the Cape Breton Highlanders during the Second World War. He began his career with the National Defence Department as a shop steward and rose through the ranks to become the National President of the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE). Ken retired from the UNDE in 1993 after 42 years of service.
During his three terms as UNCE National President in Ottawa, Ken was proud to have achieved, in concert with national officers and a dedicated national staff, some very significant gains in labour-management relations. These included the Employment Assistance Program (EAP), which instituted the consultation process between labour and management. The EAP is now an integral part of many federal contracts. Ken also worked with the National Joint Work Life Adjustment Committee to achieve significant goals in the placement of laid-off union workers to equivalent positions and work sites.
Ken was a life-long supporter of worker’s rights and served on the executive of the Cape Breton Labour Council, representing the Council on the Herb Gray Committee for laid-off steel workers.
Ken was known for his great wit and was a gifted public speaker who always fought for the rights of others. Even in his last frail months he could still regale guests with his incredible stories, jokes and well-timed one-liners. He will be dearly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the Sydney Memorial Chapel on Welton Street from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. All are welcome. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church (formerly St. Joseph's) in Sydney with Rev. Bill Burke officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
