Slipped away peacefully on Sunday, February 27th, leaving his large family and his friends with a heavy heart.
Ken lived a full 86 years, living large and loving larger. Loving husband and best friend to his devoted wife Jacqueline of 66 years; awesome father to his daughters, Winnifred and Christine, his sons Marc, Michael, and Brian; father-in-law to Brock, Wullie, Petra, Francine, and Suzanne; devoted grandfather to Johnathan, Talia, Shawna, Jordan, Cory, Kassandra, Lee, Vicky, Julian, Ashley, Patrick, and Mathieu and to his great-grandchildren Isla, Riley, Hailey, Scout, Stanley, Maava, Loghan, Jake, Makayla, Emma, Paris, Marley, Isaac, Zachary, and Audrey, and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Ken is survived by his sisters Muriel Matthews (Bud), and Joan Collins, brothers Bob (Ginnie), Donald (Sharon), and predeceased by his brothers Joseph (Valerie), Fulton Annand (Bev), Elizabeth Annand, and mother Ethel and Stepmother Peggy.
Ken, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, joined the Royal Canadian Service Corps in 1953 and was shipped over to Antwerp, Belgium where he met his wife Jacqueline - and so it began. Married in 1955, he brought his new wife to Halifax to start his family and then to Ottawa where he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer after 37 years of service, looked after the personnel newsletter and then worked as a civilian running SISIP (the military insurance services).
Ken was the heartbeat of his family and of his community. Ken assisted in the creation of the Gloucester Swim Club, volunteered with the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club,was Director of CNIB Choir, hockey coach to many young men who grew up in our neighbourhood ("Diggy, Diggy, Diggy!"), holder of the cold water hose over the frozen skating rinks, seller of Christmas trees at DQ, earned 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and sat on Board of Directors of Prostate Cancer Canada Network. Throughout his life, Ken always wanted to make a difference.
Ken would not have you mourn him but have you celebrate his good life; practice good citizenship, make good friends, support and be kind to one another, and always lend a hand to those in need.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the Perley Rideau Veterans R1S Team and support staff for their excellent care.
Visitation will be held on March 10th at Beechwood Cemetery from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm., located at 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1L 8A6
Funeral service is on March 11th at 1pm at Annunciation of the Lord (Catholic Church), located at 2414 Ogilvie Road, Ottawa, ON K1J 7N5, followed by a gathering in the church hall, to await the family's return from private burial service.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ken's memory to a charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
André Levesque
Ray hiltz
Thanks
Sylvie Bertrand
Lucky to have meet him , even been serenaded by him! He was one of a kind!
Very sorry for the Family and all that loved him. Take care of each other!
Rosanne & Randy Hebert
Our sincere condolences to Jackie and the Sanford Family. Your Dad played a special part in my life. I am grateful for the many laughs and the love & support during some trying times. I will always hear his beautiful voice singing along with Jackie at my wedding in my one of many cherished memories.
Much love Rosanne & Randy Hebert
Paul Bauer
How do you memorialize someone who truly has "done it all"?
From a dedicated and loving husband and father to a decorated and long serving soldier, to tireless volunteer worker in far too many capacities to list, Ken influenced many with his actions and community service.
I for one, will always be grateful for his influence and care. There are many others.
Stand down, Chief. You're finally off duty. We'll miss you.
Samantha Hastie
Our heartfelt condolences to Tina & Wullie and the entire Sanford family. Our Ride For Dad family loved Ken to bits and his memory will live on in us. We were so fortunate to witness the joy on Kens face when he participated and rode on the back of a motorcycle on one of our annual motorcycle rides. Ride with the angels now Ken and God Bless you!
Samantha Wilson and Family
Our deepest condolences to you all, with lots of love,
Sam, Craig, Audriana & Desmond
Patti Gravelle (Pethick)
Tina and Winnifred and family,
My sympathies on the passing of your father. I remember him well! In 2006, my husband and I were in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. I heard this man talking, turned around and said “that is Mr. Sandford!” I went up to him and said hello and told him who I was. Take care.
Patti Gravelle (Pethick)
Guy Lurette
Our deepest condolences to the family. CWO Sanford was a great mentor and a great friend.
On behalf of Mr. Alain Laurencelle, KStJ, the Chancellor of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, Priory of Canada, as well as from all members of St. John Ambulance Canada, please accept our most sincere condolences on the passing of Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth Sanford, MMM, MStJ, CD. Ken has been associated with St. John Ambulance throughout his life as he was admitted as a Member of the Order in 1965. During his later years, he joined Youth Division 32 of the Council for Federal District and undertook a leadership role as President of that division. In 2008, I had the honour to present him with a Chair’s Commendation for his remarkable volunteerism in support of youth programs and activities over the last two decades. Ken will be remembered for his love for his wife Jacqueline and his family, his kindness and encouragement to others, and his lifelong contributions to his beloved city, province and country. We will remember him!
Lieutenant-Colonel André Levesque, Deputy Chancellor – St. John Ambulance Canada