Remembering Kenneth William Davis 'Ken'

Passed away at the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, close to his loving family on Monday March 6, 2017 in his 90th year. Ken Davis of Orillia, beloved husband of the late Mary Davis. Loving stepfather of Martin (Heather) Cooke, Stephen Cooke, Christine (Ronald) Bennett and Denise (Drew) Smeaton. Loved by 9 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren. Dear brother of Ina Davis. Brother-in-law of the late Fay Hannah, the late Lois Bailey, Kathaleen Hampson and Valerie Brown. Ken was blessed with a charismatic disposition which allowed him to earn the love and admiration of everyone he met. Ken was born in Toronto August 4, 1927 to Basil and Helen Davis and has one younger sister, Miss Ina Davis. He attended R. H. McGregor Elementary School and East York C.I., graduating with the Kiwanis Service Scholarship. He attended four years at University College, U. of T., graduating with a BA in Modern Languages (French, Spanish and English). In 1951, after a year of teacher training at the Ontario College of Education, Ken taught Junior High School Music and French for seven years with the East York Board of Education, 1952-1959. From 1959 until his retirement in 1987, Ken taught secondary school with the North York Board, serving several of those as Head of Department, Co-ordinator of French studies and Vice Principal. He served on the staff of George S. Henry Secondary School as teacher of French until retirement. In 1961, Ken received the Bachelor of Education degree from the U. of T. with first-class honours. He also sang for nine years with the all-male Hart House Glee Club, serving in latter years as assistant conductor and member of the House Committee. Ken has been a lifelong church musician, having begun piano studies with Jessie Blake, studied organ performance for six years with Maestro Giuseppe Moschetti, then organ, theory, harmony and counterpoint with Eric Rollinson, and choir training with Dr. Charles Peaker. He served in several Toronto churches, but his longest appointment was for twenty-eight years as Organist and Choirmaster of Leaside United Church, where he presided over the large Casavant organ which he designed in 1956-7, and a faithful choir of twenty-seven voices. In 1950, Ken joined the Royal Canadian College of Organists and has served that organization in a number or capacities, including the National Registrar. In 1960, he received the Associate diploma of the College, and in 1996 was made an Honourary Life member. He also served as an examiner for the College. In 1989, Ken founded the Simcoe-Muskoka Centre of the RCCO and served as assisting organist at his church, St. James’ Anglican in Orillia, where he was privileged to play many services and recitals. Ken has been a member since 1960 of the Toronto Marine Historical Society, and a member since 1953 of the Upper Canada Railway Society, serving several years as its general secretary. He had an extensive WW2 library, but his consuming hobby has been model railroading in the HO scale and served several years as general secretary of the Lake Simcoe Railway Modellers. His railway interests also included long-standing membership in SCORE (Simcoe County Organization of Rail Enthusiasts), a group whose main interest is scale modelling. From 1989 to 1998, Ken served as a Court Deputy in the Federal Supreme Court in Barrie. An ardent conservationist, Ken was a member of the Orillia Naturalists Club, The Canadian Wildlife Federation (with an Associate membership) and the Canadian Geographic Society.

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. This definition was written in 1904 by Bessie Anderson Stanley

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia, (705) 326-3595, on Friday March 10, 2017 from 2-4 & 7-9 P.M. A Memorial Service to celebrate Ken’s Life will be held at St. James’ Anglican Church, 58 Peter St. N., Orillia on Saturday afternoon, March 11, 2017 at 2 o’clock. If desired, memorial donations to St. James’ Anglican Church, Orillia would be appreciated by the family.

Visitation
  • March 10, 2017 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - L. Doolittle Chapel Directions
  • March 10, 2017 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - L. Doolittle Chapel Directions
Memorial Service
  • March 11, 2017 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - St. James' Anglican Church Directions

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