Kenneth Rutherford

KENNETH (KEN) RUTHERFORD 10 August 1928 - 09 March 2009 Ken Rutherford passed away after a brief illness at his home in Prescott, Ontario. After graduating from the Radio College of Canada, Ken followed his brother Jack into the business, Toronto Camera Exchange, started by their father George. Although he had wanted a very different career, he committed his enormous energies to the company and, from its modest beginnings on Church Street, Ken and his brother built Toronto Camera Centre on Yonge Street into Canada's premier photographic retailer. The two brothers also developed a national professional photographic and audiovisual operation under the name Rutherford Photographic Ltd. Funny, loyal and generous to a fault, Ken was entirely indifferent to the pursuit of social status that obsessed so many others. Contemptuous of pretence of any kind, he considered no job to be beneath him, and believed there was dignity in any work undertaken with pride and competence. Accordingly, he treated everyone with whom he came in contact, from salesclerks to road cleaners, with courtesy and respect. In return, Ken enjoyed the respect and admiration of countless honest, hardworking individuals. Loved by all who knew him, Ken was a stand-up guy. An enthusiastic and very able carpenter and yachtsman, Ken was never happier than when working with his hands, and over the years built boats, repaired and refinished furniture, and extensively renovated and expanded several of his homes. An irrepressible bargain hunter and collector of tools (often purchased in sets of two, because, "You never know..."), after retirement, Ken moved to the village of Tweed, Ontario and opened a flea market where he sold the furniture he had refinished and what he called his 'junque' (which of course only made room for more). His basements and outbuildings were always a treasure trove of nostalgia and the unexpected. (It was often joked that, before venturing into any of these, visitors ought to be provided with a flashlight, a compass, a sandwich and a whistle.) Ken is deeply mourned by his wife Joan of four years, and by his children David and Suzanne, his daughter-in-law Pascale, his granddaughter Rhiannon, his nephews Bill Armstrong, Bob Rutherford and Ken Rutherford, and his sister-in-law Ruth. Ken was predeceased by his sister Marjorie, his brother Jack and his nephew Craig. Memorial services for Ken are to be held in Grasse (SE France) and in Regina (Sask.). Because Ken loved animals, and cats in particular, the family requests that those wishing to honour Ken make donations in his name to the SPCA or to their local Humane Society.