It is with great sadness that the family of Ken Sandberg announces his passing on April 5, 2022.
Ken was born March 13, 1941 in McIntyre Township. He lived in the city all his life, attending local schools.
Ken began working at a young age, trying his hand as a shoe salesman, working at Clark's Drug Store, knocking the morning dew off the grass before mowing as a golf course grounds keeper, home delivery milkman, city bus driver, servicing furnaces for C. W. McEwen Burner Service and home oil delivery. He was a long haul truck driver for McKevitt Trucking and worked for years delivering fuel for Imperial Oil Esso. While employed with Imperial Oil, he participated in, and won, the provincial truck rodeo and then went on to place second in the national rodeo in BC for his semi truck driving skills. He retired the first time around age 62, but decided retirement wasn't for him. He paid back the pension he had collected from the government and returned to the workforce, driving for various local trucking and gravel companies, working into his 70's.
Ken was a bit of a wild child and if you heard stories of him back in the day, you would hear of the many hijinks and pranks with him and his friends. He was like the Fonz of Port Arthur, the cool dude with his slicked hair and leather jacket, riding his motorcycle.
Ken met Ellen, the love of his life, on a blind date when he was 19 years old. They went on to marry and during their 61-1/2 year marriage welcomed four children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Ken's main interest was his family and spending time with his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, coffee time with the guys and the gun club. In his spare time he enjoyed playing a tune on the harmonica or keyboard, plunking on the guitar or ukulele, or he'd just grab a couple of spoons from the kitchen drawer and play them while singing or whistling a tune. Ken also enjoyed puttering in the garage and making walking sticks, spending hours whittling and smoothing diamond willow.
Ken leaves to mourn, his wife Ellen, son Kevin (Veronica), daughters Tracey and Cathy, and son Brian (Sara). His seven grandchildren, Kevin's son Kyle (Miranda) and daughter Kelly, Tracey's sons Bailey Selgrad (Becky) and Dylan Selgrad, Brian's daughters Briley and Danika and son Lukas. His great grandson and Kyle's son Sterling. Ken is also survived by his sister Carol Ann Maloney, sister-in-law Dinah Wayrynen and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Victor and Hilda Sandberg, brother Clyde, sisters Marg, Helen and Sylvia, in-laws Elmer and Sylvia Korkola.
As per Ken's wishes, there will be no funeral. He didn't want everyone making a fuss over him.
