Kenneth John Milne

Ken died peacefully in his Burnaby home with his niece Kelley and some of his loving L'Arche community family by his side.

He was the third child and second son of William and Ruth. He is survived by his sister Joyce (Don) Carlson and brother Cliff (Jenny) Milne, nephews Brent (Ikuyo) Carlson and Shane (Kris) Carlson, nieces Kelley (Jeff) Barszczewski and Cheryl (Dave Siba) Milne, great-niece Mackenzie Barszczewski, and great-nephews Leon Carlson, Ty Barszczewski, Lucas Laroche, Quinn Carlson and Cohen Siba.

As a result of an extra chromosome, Ken was born with Down Syndrome. He was also born with a hole in his heart, known as Blue Baby Syndrome. During the course of his life, he survived many health challenges, however, that did not prevent him from living a full and satisfying life that lasted much longer than was expected at the time he was born.

He was most proud to share his birth year with the City of Powell River, his hometown, and attended the 50th anniversary of the incorporation at Dwight Hall.

He could read and write, and subscribed to our local paper for many years. Birthday and anniversary wishes would arrive on time, sent with loving messages. He was known to send letters to Canadian prime ministers and US presidents.

A political junkie, he had a deep commitment to his country and supported various parties during his lifetime; Social Credit, NDP, Liberal and Conservative. His family was never surprised when during television coverage of a convention he could be seen somewhere in camera shots. He was more politically astute than most people.

When he retired after working for years at Boston Pizza and as a janitor for L'Arche facilities, his party was attended by the mayor of Burnaby, a member of Parliament and MLAs, his family and numerous friends. He had an impact on so many lives.

Church was an important part of his weekly activities, which he kept up until he was no longer able to attend, and it involved another wide circle of friends.

Ken was very proud of his 28 years of sobriety and treasured his sponsors and friends in AA.

Ken loved music and loved to dance. He would not be shy about asking the prettiest women in the room onto the dance floor and impressing them, and everyone else, with his moves.

Ken was a big sports fan and enjoyed attending games with friends and family. He always caused a stir at Canucks games when he appeared in his Gary Lupul, No. 7, orange, yellow and black jersey. He never did forgive the Vancouver Canucks for trading away Ed Jovanovski and switched his allegiance to the Los Angeles Kings.

Ken travelled to many places in Canada and around the world, including Australia, Germany and Scotland, the homeland of his paternal grandparents. In his younger years, he visited Powell River many times by bus and made sure to sit next to a pretty woman. Later he would fly up for Christmas, his birthday, summer vacation and many other special family occasions.

When asked to make a choice between two things, Ken would always respond, "I'm easy both ways," a saying that is used by other family members as a tribute to him. He was funny and witty, frequently having a smart comeback during conversations.

After COVID-19 he was not able to come for Christmas for the first time in years. In November 2021, two of the people who cared for him at L'Arche brought him to Powell River, no easy task for someone who was on oxygen and in a wheelchair. He was able to meet with individual family units, visit his parents' graves which he did every visit and to view his brick at the Westview Viewpoint. A video of that visit is a priceless memento and our family is thrilled for the effort to make this to happen.

Our family is so grateful to all the people in Ken's life who loved and cared for him.

If anyone would like to remember Ken with a donation, one can be sent to L'Arche Greater Vancouver, Unit 6 – 7541 Conway Street, Burnaby, BC, V5E 2P7. Ken was a founding member of this intentional community where, since 1974, adults with developmental disabilities, along with those who come to assist them, share life together in family-like settings and work environments.