It is with profound sadness that the family of Kenneth James Firth announces his passing in the loving presence of his wife and four children on January 20th, in his 86th year, after a brief illness.
Ken is survived by his wife and best friend, Saundra, of 65 years, and by his four children, Kimberley Firth (Miriam), Lesley Lebel (Marc), Meredith Firth, and Darren Firth.
He will be greatly missed by his four grandchildren Tyler Lebel (Kate), Jordan Lebel (Caitlin), Brittney Ernst (Matthew), and Brooke McLay (Tyler), and had a special place in the hearts of his 10 great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Beckham, Adeline, and Eloise Ernst, Juniper, Austin, and Wylder Lebel, Logan and Landon Lebel, and Violet McLay.
Ken was born in a simpler time on March 27th, 1939 in Scarborough Ontario. His mother, Florence, raised Ken and his brother Ray as a single mother for most of their childhood. At age 2, Flo entered Ken into the CNE baby contest and he won 2nd place; she always maintained that he should have come first.
During the war, he enthusiastically participated in paper and metal drives and even grew his own victory garden. Shortly after the war ended, Ken’s mother married returning war veteran Walter Tranter, who became a dedicated father to Ken and his brother.
Just after turning 15, Ken applied for a position as a stock boy at the Woolworth's store where his mother worked, and was hired, beginning a career with the company that would last 44 years. He entered the manager training program at age 18 and was the youngest store manager in Woolworth history when he was promoted at age 22.
In 1957, Ken met the love of his life, Saundra Turner, after his school buddies bet him that she would not go out with him. He won the bet and they were married two years later.
Ken was a star executive at Woolworth's and was frequently transferred during the 1960s and 70s to under-performing stores, where he would quickly turn them around. By the time Ken and Saundra had been married 25 years, they had moved 27 times with the company and had lived across Canada from coast to coast.
Along the journey Ken and Saundra welcomed their four children, bringing them on their adventures camping through Alberta, hiking in BC, and sailing in Ontario.
They eventually settled in Barrie Ontario in the late 70s, where Ken became manager of the largest Woolworth’s store in Canada, and where Saundra would become a pioneer in the health food industry in 1980. It was one of the great joys in his life to have been able to share his work with all four of his children.
An immensely proud father, Ken taught his children through the way that he worked and lived. To Kim he taught the value of independence, to Lesley the importance of family, to Meredith the virtue of kindness, and to Darren the values of determination and hard work.
He was also very proud of his son-in-law Marc, whose success as both an entrepreneur and father he admired.
Throughout the 2010s, Ken & Saundra enjoyed their retirement together, vacationing in Florida with Lesley and Marc, visiting Kim and Miriam in Victoria, and spending summers in Nova Scotia with Meredith. He would later return to work as a part-time stock boy at his son Darren's vitamin business.
Particularly joyous events during this time were the marriages of his four grandchildren and the arrival shortly thereafter of his 10 great-grandchildren, who all loved spending time with their Gramps whenever they could.
In May of 2024, the family hosted a surprise 65th wedding anniversary party attended by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In his unrehearsed speech to his family at the party, Ken said, "Saundra, I love you more and more every day. Your mother, your grandmother, your great grandmother is the most wonderful person in the world and I just can't thank her enough for everything that she provided for me and for our family. Thank you, Saundra, for everything."
Ken and Saundra would like to recognize the former Woolworth’s community, the Barrie Rotary Club, and Ken’s business colleagues for their fellowship over the years. While there are too many friends to mention, they wanted to make note of their special relationship with lifelong friends Guy and Bev Latva, Bill and Marg Kenny, Harris Steele (deceased), and Wayne Rickerby (deceased).
The family would like to thank Bayshore for the kind and professional care provided to Ken at home during January of this year.
In lieu of flowers or donations, it was Ken's wish that his friends spend more time with their families, especially with their grandchildren if they have them.
A small memorial service will be held on Jan. 25th followed by a celebration of life in the spring; notifications with the date will be sent.
Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Funeral Home, Barrie. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.legacyfuneral.ca