Obituary of Jack Kenley "Ken" Fowles

FOWLES: Jack Kenley Fowles (better known as Ken) died November 10, 2015 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, passing away peacefully with family by his side after a battle with bowel cancer. Ken was born in the east-end of Brandon on December 8, 1936, to parents Robert and Anne Fowles (née Roney). As a child, he lived on 5th Street near Central School where he received his early education, later attending Junior High School at Earl Haig and High School at the Brandon Collegiate Institute. Prior to joining his father at his barber shop at 144-9th Street in 1956, Ken attended barber school in Winnipeg while playing hockey there. He spent his early adult years on 12th and 15th Streets before moving to Lorne Avenue in 1967. Ken met and married Joan McCunn in 1958 with whom he had four children. Following Joan's death in 1966, Ken met and married Willa (née Yates) in 1968, who with the help of Ken's mother, raised his four children and then welcomed two more into the world. Ken participated in many sports and was a devoted "Y" goer, participating in wrestling, boxing, tennis and volleyball. He played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in Brandon, later refereeing in this league and the WHL. A highlight of his hockey career was attending a Detroit Red Wings hockey camp and playing with the likes of Gordie Howe and others of that era. He was an avid skier, and proud of the many hills and mountains he succumbed to in Western Canada and the US. Many happy hours were spent on the water in a sailboat ranging from a 12 foot Wayfarer to a 42 foot Ketch, the former plying the waters of Southern Manitoba, the latter, the waters off the Gulf Islands on the West coast and the St. Lawrence River. By far his greatest challenge and his most pleasurable experience was sailing as a crew member on a charter yacht from England to the Caribbean in 1984. Ken served as President of the Brandon Barbers' Union for a period of time. He was also a member of the Lions Club and Canadian Yachting Association. He described the last few of years at the barbershop as a "hobby," not an occupation anymore. He 'formally' retired in August of 2014 and sold his business of 57 years in the fall of last year. Ken will be lovingly remembered by his wife Willa of 47 years, children Margaret Ann (Randy) Lawrence, Holly Fowles, Tara Fowles, Tamasin Buschau, John (Tiphanie) Fowles, nine beautiful grandchildren, Janna, Madison, Julie, Josh, Kyle, Kahlann, Leah, Ryenne, Linden, and two great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Immanuel. Also cherishing his memory is his sister Carole (Dave) Rudy and their children Paul (Susan) and Aaron (Shandra) plus many other caring relatives. Ken was predeceased by his brother Bobbie in 1938, father Robert in 1962, wife Joan in 1966, eldest son Brett in 1992 and mother, Anne in 1998. A Celebration of Ken's Life was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Monday, November 16, 2015. The urn was later placed in the columbarium at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of urn-bearers, members of the immediate family took their turn in passing Ken's urn to Willa who placed his ashes to rest. Donations in memory of Ken may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation "Palliative Care", 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3.