Kenneth James Kaminski

Scottsdale - Ken Kaminski, 59, passed away on August 8, 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born on January 31, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois at Mercy Hospital and grew up in both Palos Park and Northbrook, Illinois. Ken graduated from Glenbrook North High School in 1979 and received his undergraduate degree from Bradley University and Masters Degree from Otis Parsons School of Design CA. On August 17th, 1985, Ken married the love of his life Nancy Rosen (Kaminski). Ken is survived by his wife Nancy, Father John, Brother Scott and Wife Cathy, Brother Paul, Brothers-in-law Al and wife Susan, Scott and wife Sue and many nieces and nephews - Kristine, Michael, Nicole, Joe, Jack, Scott, John, Amy and his faithful dogs Larry and Wrigley. Ken was loved and cherished by family, friends and colleagues around the world.

Ken started his professional art career at Gilmore Envelope Company in Los Angeles, California. He and his wife then moved east to New Jersey where Ken found incredible levels of creative and marketing success in the pharmaceutical industry working for pharma giants Johnson and Johnson, Schering-Plough and Merck. He received numerous awards and accolades for his designs.

In 2014, after a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, Ken and Nancy moved from Long Valley, NJ to Cave Creek, AZ. Ken was an established fine artist and the move to Arizona provided him more time to pursue his love of painting. His painting idols were Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock both abstract expressionists, an art style Ken favored as his style of art. Ken had Gallery representation in New York City and Los Angeles.

He was a member of both the Panther Valley Country Club in NJ and the Boulders Golf Club in AZ. Ken and Nancy loved to golf and ski at resorts around the world. Ken loved his Chicago sports teams but was most passionate about his beloved Cubs, 2016 World Series Champions. However it was his love of the Rolling Stones that became his greatest musical joy. He and Nancy traveled the globe to watch The Stones play live.

Ken will be buried next to his Mother Nancy Noonan, grandparents and great-grandparents in Amboy, Illinois.

A private celebration of life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valleywise Health Foundation, Behavioral Health at valleywisehealthfoundation.org. Visit hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Kaminski

Sponsored by Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery - Scottsdale.

14 Entries

Walter Wickiser Walter Wickiser Gallery

August 17, 2023

Miss you Ken and your great artwork and positive attitude !
Walter Wickiser
Walter Wickiser Gallery

Walter Wickiser Walter Wickiser Gallery

August 8, 2022

To Nancy and family members my deepest condolences.
I was very concerned about Ken that summer and was dismayed to find out about his passing from Dennis Kleidon whom Ken introduced me to. I was very inspired by Ken's artworks and very proud to show them in my gallery. He was always so positive and upbeat and it gave me inspiration in what is a very difficult business . We used to talk about the Stones a lot because they resided in my hometown of Woodstock ,New York in the late 1970's and I got to meet them and hear all the stories . They gave a lot of my friends jobs working on their tours ect . Ken and I shared a real affinity for their music. He is missed dearly.

Gilbert Quinton

December 26, 2020

I worked with Ken at Ortho and want to express my condolences. Great guy who introduced me to Seinfeld. I attended a gallery opening in NYC and was very impressed. Wishing you well in must be a tough time

Dennis Kleidon

December 5, 2020

Rose and I are in shock to see this. Please accept our deepest sympathies. I'll let Walter Wickiser know (the NYC gallery we're both in) -- he was just asking about Ken. My fellow artist, gone much too soon, it's hard to bear. We will treasure the Kaminski painting hanging in our Arizona home, now more than ever.

Angela Amoresano

November 25, 2020

My deepest sympathy and condolences, I just heard of Ken's passing. So sorry for your loss. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Angela Amoresano

Kydin Field

Planted Trees

Gary Will

August 22, 2020

Emily and I got to meet Ken and Nancy at Bradley University, where I teach, and they are both alumni. Ken came into our lives like a breath of fresh, enthusiastic, air. He was so energetic and positive and lit up every room with his presence. I am so happy to say that our formal introductions quickly turned into a friendship, and several wonderful get togethers from then onwards. A bond that should have continued for many more years until Ken's terribly untimely passing. We just hope he can keep painting those clouds from where he is now.

We are desperately sad for you, Nancy, and of course your babies - Larry and Wrigley. Please know you are in our hearts and we are always just a call or txt away if you need to talk (or just share puppy photo's!)

Ken, we miss you terribly, buddy.
Nancy, stay strong.
All our love, Gary and Emily.

Gary Will

Planted Trees

Denise Newton

August 21, 2020

Please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers. May the love and strength of your family and friends wrap around you in this time.

Dave Murrow

August 19, 2020

To Nancy and family members reading this, my deepest condolences on the loss of Ken. Too soon and so sad. Like the others who have written here, I met Ken in college, and we ended up becoming roomies for a year, and pals throughout. I lost touch with him over the years, but reconnected out here in Scottsdale, AZ. I was happy to share some Cubs love and Rolling Stones love with him in recent years. Happy to have met Nancy as well. May Ken keep making those large canvas works up in Heaven! Dave

James Schramm

August 18, 2020

Yes Nancy, I like so many others, had met Ken in college and quickly became his brother. He and I shared so many similar traits that it will be a while for this to sink in. My heart and prayers go out to you, Scott and the rest of the family. I thought I would be able to quote one of the great philosophers such as Keith Richards or Neil Young and make Ken proud as we had talked about so many years ago, but I hope he knew the impact he had on so many people throughout the years. He truly was a special person and I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with Ken and had that Special Bond over at NIU with Ken, my brother forever. I miss you Ken.
Jim Schramm

Kenny's favorite album 1981

Jim Bell

August 15, 2020

Jim Bell

August 15, 2020

I'm so sad to hear of Kenny's passing. It's great to see that he was able to follow his artistic passions through his whole life. I met Kenny in college during the summer of '81. He was funny, witty, and one of the coolest guys on campus. We both loved the Stones. So many fond memories of those times...

John Jarger

August 15, 2020

I just found out about Ken yesterday evening. I woke up this morning with a huge hole in my chest. My formative years with Ken were brief (ages 18-20) but it created a life long friendship. Of course we didn’t agree on everything, especially current politics, but how meaningless is that?! Ken was one of those rare individuals that could brighten up a dull room. He just may have been the most gregarious person I’ve ever known. He was electric. People wanted to hang around him, hear whatever he was about to say, and had a positive spin even in negative situations. It was no surprise to me he became so successful, not just because of his art talent, but also because of these attributes. I know more people than I ever thought I would in my career and life choices, but I can only count on the fingers of my two hands those who I’ve met that were “impact” people. Ken to me was one of those fingers out of thousands I’ve known. The world seems a lesser place today. My sympathies to Nancy, Scott and the entire Kaminski and related families. Rest In Peace my friend Kenny - the best part of NIU for the time it lasted.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results