KENNETH SAMUEL DABNER
1929 - 2009
Ken passed away peacefully at the Kamloops Hospice on Wednesday, September 16, 2009.
Ken will be dearly missed by his loving wife Hilda of 60 years, sons Phil (Janet) and Chris (Linda), grandsons Jason (Erica), Jamie (Tera), Sam (Amy), and great granddaughters Zoe and Ava. Ken also leaves behind his family in England, his sister Barb (John), and his brothers David (Rose) and Mervyn (Edith).
Ken was a strong and courageous man. He was the oldest sibling and learned to be responsible from an early age helping his mother raise the family and keep them safe while his father fought in the war. Ken started his work life early, first as a Marine Cadet, then an apprentice carpenter, and at 18 he joined the Royal Air Force and spent two years in the middle East.
Ken married his true love Hilda Thompson in 1948. Together they made their home and started their family in Plymouth, England. Seeking a better life the Dabners moved to Canada in 1957 where Ken joined the Canadian Armed Forces, only to move again to Germany for three years. The Dabner family came back to Canada and were stationed near Cultus Lake, BC until their move to Kamloops in 1963. Ken along with long time friend, Dale Collett started KenDale Cabinets. A position with the Department of Indian Affairs found Ken working throughout the Interior of BC. Ken\'s passion for carpentry was strong. He attended UBC to complete his teaching degree and became the Co-ordinator for special education in Kamloops.
Ken enjoyed his retirement. He and Hilda visited family in Plymouth and Northern Yorkshire where Hilda was born. Ken loved to garden and putter around the home he built in Brocklehurst. Ken was an imaginative story teller and would talk with anyone. He had a dry sense of humour, an infectious smile and a friendly demeanour that will be sadly missed by many.
Special thanks to Auntie Joan from Yorkshire (Hilda\'s sister) for being here when we needed her most, the wonderful staff, nurses and Dr. Schumacher at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home, Dr. Proctor and staff at the Cancer Clinic, and Janet Dabner for her special attention.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken\'s memory may be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home, 72 Whiteshield Crescent S., Kamloops, BC, V2E 2S9.