Kenneth Fenwick, age 88 years, of Waverley Park Towers, passed away unexpectedly at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife and best friend of 60 years, Marilyn, as well as son Douglas, wife Cheryl, and children Aidan, Asher and Caleb of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter Julie Shorrock and her daughter, Sydney, Toronto; daughter Heather, husband Neil Maxwell, and their children, Jack and Jadyn, Waterdown, ON. Ken is also survived by sister-in-law Lois (Don) Devereaux, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Nina (Lane) and George Fenwick, brother and sister-in-law, Terry & Van Fenwick, sister & brother-in-law, Dona & Harold Warren, sister & brother-in-law, Joyce & Dick Senkbeil, as well as Marilyn's family members, Alice & Tom Ainsworth, Jim & Mary Higgins, Margaret & Lloyd Hill, Walter and Joan Higgins, & Pat and Joseph Veltri.
Ken was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1935 and attended elementary and secondary school there. He went on to Queen's University in Kingston to study geological engineering and after his marriage to Marilyn in 1964, completed his B.Sc. in Geological Engineering and his M.Sc. at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. Ken's career with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines spanned a total of thirty-six years, beginning as a junior field assistant in 1957 and retiring as Regional Manager for Northwestern Ontario in 1993. Ken continued his interest in mining after his retirement by starting up his consulting business "Historical Prospecting". He enjoyed many years of "making mining deals" with his partners Don Leishman and Karl Bjorkman, and prospecting "in the field" with his partner, Don Devereaux. In 2001, he was awarded "Discovery of the Year" from the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors' Association and in 2012, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the CIMM District Proficiency medal in recognition of outstanding contributions to the exploration and development of northwestern Ontario. Ken executed over 140 option deals with junior exploration companies over the years through "Historical Prospecting".
Ken was a member of St. Margaret's R.C. Church, and he and Marilyn were involved with the Marriage Encounter movement for several years. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, along with Marilyn. Ken was quite an athlete. He played played varsity basketball for Queen's University and was chosen as an Ontario University all star. He continued playing ball with the same friends for over thirty years in Thunder Bay and won many tournaments in Ontario and Manitoba including playing in the Masters League. In 1967, he won the scoring championship in the Thunder Bay Masters Basketball League.
Ken and Marilyn enjoyed travelling to many wonderful destinations after retirement, as well as visiting their children in Atlanta and the Toronto area, and enjoyed many family vacations at his brother Terry (and Van)'s cottage in Michigan.
A Celebration of Life for the late Kenneth Fenwick will be held on Friday, June 14 with family and friends gathering at St. Margaret's Church, 88 Clayte Street, at 11 a.m. for Mass of the Resurrection, celebrated by Father Ciaran Donnelly. Services complete in the church, with private interment to be held at a later date.
Donations to a charity of your choice would be very much appreciated.
To Ken from Marilyn ...Across the years, I will walk with you...
In deep green forests; on shores of sand;
And when our time on earth is through,
In heaven, too, you will have my hand.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
