MARTIN – A year has passed since we lost our beloved Father, Grandfather, Husband, Brother and Friend. On May 7, 2020, Kenmore Martin passed away at his home in Brooks with two of his daughters, Deana and Heather, and his wife Genie (Georgina) by his side. Missing due to COVID restrictions was his daughter Pamela. Ken fought a short and very brave battle against cancer.
Ken is predeceased by his parents Theodore Hanley and Annie B Martin, and his sister Dinah Avery. Left with wonderful memories and full hearts are his wife Genie, children Deana (Dave Mitchell), Heather (Tim Cluett) and Pamela (Stéphane Martel) and granddaughters Jersey, Lola and Camille; his brothers and sisters Howard, Eric, Ted, Alice and Doris; and his many friends from far and wide.
Ken was born in Little Heart’s Ease and spent many of his formative years in Old Montreal where his family moved for work. As a young teen, he returned to Newfoundland, a place he loved dearly. Ken married Genie in 1967 and they started their family in Burin, Newfoundland. Ken built their family home himself while he, Genie and Deana lived with Genie’s parents, George and Esther. Ken had a close relationship with his in-laws and loved them like his own parents.
Salt water ran through his veins and his love of hunting and fishing on the open water were two of his great joys, outside of his girls of course! He worked as a mechanic, a fisherman, a cook on the draggers, a carpenter and a teacher (of carpentry) over the years. Ken was not a stranger to hard work nor to having fun! Those who worked with Ken have many a story to tell and there were many laughs had while hard work was accomplished.
In 2006 Ken left his beloved home of Newfoundland, drove across the country to the prairies and settled in Alberta to be close to his first grandchild, Jersey. Genie came two months later after Ken had purchased their first home in Brooks. Ken considered being a grandfather as the most important job in his life. Nothing compared to the effort and care he put into that role and the love and joy showed on both his face and Jersey’s.
Though Ken had a long health battle that started in 2005 with the loss of his bladder, and continued in Alberta where he was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease, he never let his poor health get the better of him, nor did he ever play the victim card. For several years he drove himself to dialysis an hour away… dialysed for 4 hours and then made the trip home. He did this three days a week. Anyone who understands kidney disease and the toll that dialysis has on your body, knows this was no small feat. When the opportunity arose to do dialysis at home, he jumped on it. Normally a person needs a support person to do this but not Ken! He took all the courses and renovated the house for the incoming medical equipment and was up and running in no time, all without complaint. In fact, he met it with excitement! Then came the day he got the life changing call for a kidney! He was eternally grateful for the kindness of another to donate his/her organs to give Ken a second lease on life. And that it did. His one desire was to get a transplant so he could go to France to see his other two grandchildren, Lola and Camille, something he was unable to do since they were born. So in 2016, Ken and Genie spent a full month in France with their youngest daughter, their son-in-law and two youngest granddaughters. This was the bucket list goal and special time for everyone!
Ken became a great health care advocate, in particular for organ donation. He worked with the School of Nursing in Medicine Hat College; they successfully got online organ donation before the Alberta Legislature and a bill and legislation passed supporting it. Ken spoke at many fundraisers, sharing his story and his jokes (this always made us nervous as you didn’t know if they were going to be clean or not) to inspire others to donate either their organs or from their pocketbooks to support transplants.
The five years with his new kidney before his passing were his greatest. He truly enjoyed life! He spent many hours in his workshop refinishing antiques or making bowls and cutting boards. On Wednesdays, all the tools were pushed back and out came the coffee pot and table for coffee with the boys at Ken’s Café. Oh if one could have been a fly on the wall as the stories were told in the “Shed.” He was able to spend time with his friends and family, and there were lots of road trips with his best bud Arnold as well as BBQs and potlucks with friends and family. And one cannot forget the Bandits hockey games; he would pick Jersey up almost every Friday night to head to the game. Jersey had a special relationship with her Pop that will be cherished for a lifetime. Deana, Heather and Pamela were the light of his life… that is until Jersey, Lola and Camille came along. They were happy to pass on that light to the granddaughters, as the sun rose and set on them. Ken also had a special relationship with each one of his son-in-laws, they were the sons he never had. He was so proud of each and every one of them.
On Ken’s 73rd birthday last year, he was not yet diagnosed but he knew it was his last. He was able to celebrate with friends and family in Brooks. This was a much cherished day for him and those of us there can reflect on that evening. A number of times I remember him sitting back and just smiling at all those around him. His heart was full! For that we are grateful!
The days and weeks ahead were challenging to say the least, but our family want to extend a heart felt thank you to each and every one of you that reached out, called, texted, prayed, made food, sent cards, items and well wishes. Your support, your kindness and most of all your love was most welcomed and so badly needed. Though COVID did not allow many of you to come and say a proper good bye, Ken had love for you all and felt it every time the door bell rang with drop-offs, messages that came in on Facebook or when the phone rang. His last time with many of you was at his support parade. After the parade was over he had to rest. However, once he had rested he just could not get over the show of love and support, for all those that attended in person and online. Again his heart was full!
As we reflect back over the last year, our hearts still heavy with grief, we want to thank each and every one of you as you all mean a significant amount to each of us and especially to Ken.
Now that spring is upon us we are beginning to see new life. Dad loved the birds and the especially the geese. The whole family got pictures each morning of the geese out by the horticulture center or over by the museum or wherever his travels took him that day. As you all see the wildlife return for another season and you see those birds overhead, know that Ken is there – watching over each one of us. Love, Genie and Family
