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KENNETH (Ken) GEORGE D'ORSAY

September 28, 2011

Kend

Kenneth (Ken) George D’Orsay

June 21 1944 ~ Sept. 28, 2011

It is with great sadness and heartache that we announce the sudden passing of Kenneth (Ken) George D’Orsay on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, following a very short battle with cancer. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 21, 1944, Ken was the adopted son, and only child of loving parents, Mary and James D’Orsay. At age 50, following a long and eventful search, Ken found and met his birth mother, Betty; 5 siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins, many of whom resided in Fox Harbour, Newfoundland. He, and they, were thrilled and their love flourished and grew.

The majority of Ken’s career was in the forest industry, driving logging truck and as camp manager at various locations up and down the West Coast, the interior of BC and in Haida Gwaii. He was well known for his abilities in conflict resolution and his firm, but fair work ethic. He also drove fuel truck, city bus and most recently, in retirement, was a courier for LifeLabs.

Ken had a lifelong passion for the sea and sailing, and was a member of the Nanaimo Yacht Club and the Canadian Power Squadron. He enjoyed motorcycling and playing guitar and piano, singing many a jaunty east coast ditty. He was a long-time friend of Bill W. Ken’s most memorable talent was his ability to “tell his story,” for the benefit and mentorship of others, with impeccable timing, wonderful humour and heartfelt emotion and compassion.

Ken is predeceased by his parents: birth mother; step-son, Jim Hughes and his special friend and sidekick of 18 years, Simba. He is survived and sorely missed by his loving wife, Robin (Humphrey); 5 step-sons, 2 step-daughters, 4 siblings and their families.

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation are extended to Dr. Davies, Dr. McLaughlan, Dr. Roe and the nurses and staff on the 3rd and 5th floors of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, for their compassionate care and concern... and, by the way, he loved the food.

Ken’s love and friendships will last our lifetime, and his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who experienced the gift of having met this wonderful man.

May your soul fly away briefly, and with its rebirth, the world will, again, be an even better place.

A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Coast Bastion Inn, Nanaimo, BC at 1:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, we strongly encourage donations to Canadian Cancer Society for Bile Duct Cancer Research or the Nanaimo Hospice Society (250-758-8857)



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