Obituary for Kenneth Grayson Harvey
Kenneth Grayson Harvey, known to others and his family members as Ken, Dad, Grampie or Grandpa, was born in Wattsville, a small village near Cross Keys, Monmouthshire in Wales on December 22, 1937. He was the only child of his parents, Alfred and Olwyn Harvey, who both predeceased him many years ago.
Ken grew up in South Wales, and at the age of 12 began working down a local coal mine, Nine Mile Point, which was a typical working career for young man back in his day. Having lost his father at a very young age Ken continued to help his mother by working for a few years as a coal miner.
In 1957 Ken travelled by steamship to Quebec with his best friend, Glenn Powell. Then he ultimately made his way across Canada by train with Glynn to British Columbia. He was soon introduced through Glynn Powell’s girlfriend, June, to Georgina on a blind date and the rest, as they say, is history. Ken never returned to live back in Wales, and he married Georgina in Vancouver, B.C. on June 30, 1961. Vancouver and the surrounding area then became home for Ken and Georgina.
Ken and Georgina had two children Brian and Janice.
Ken started his working career with Woodward‘s, initially bagging groceries, and then he moved to the china department in West Vancouver before transitioning into working with Federated Co-op where he worked his way through to management in the hardware department for British Columbia.
About 1979, Ken’s working career took another u-turn when he decided to take a general management role with Bosley’s Pet Food Mart where he remained until his retirement in approximately 2002.
Ken was a very loving husband to his wife Georgina. They were in their 62nd year of marriage at the time of Georgina’s recent passing in January 2023. Together with his soulmate, Ken enjoyed many vacations to numerous destinations and he spent his retirement along with her enjoying their Palm Desert, California home each winter.
In addition to his two children and their spouses Ruth Harvey and David de Wolf, Ken leaves behind three grandchildren, Amanda Barnes (nee: Harvey, her husband James) along with Meaghan and Brent de Wolf. In addition, Ken had two great grandchildren, Leonardo and Rafael Barnes at the time of his passing.
Sadly, in late 2022 Ken developed cancer and after a serious operation in Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C. in January 2023, Ken unfortunately passed on February 25, 2023 due to complications further to his surgery.
Brian and Janice, along with the extended family, wish to acknowledge the dedicated care and compassion showed to Ken by all of his doctors, nurses and medical team at Peace Arch Hospital.
At Ken’s request, he did not wish any funeral service except for a private family memorial.
Ken grew up in South Wales, and at the age of 12 began working down a local coal mine, Nine Mile Point, which was a typical working career for young man back in his day. Having lost his father at a very young age Ken continued to help his mother by working for a few years as a coal miner.
In 1957 Ken travelled by steamship to Quebec with his best friend, Glenn Powell. Then he ultimately made his way across Canada by train with Glynn to British Columbia. He was soon introduced through Glynn Powell’s girlfriend, June, to Georgina on a blind date and the rest, as they say, is history. Ken never returned to live back in Wales, and he married Georgina in Vancouver, B.C. on June 30, 1961. Vancouver and the surrounding area then became home for Ken and Georgina.
Ken and Georgina had two children Brian and Janice.
Ken started his working career with Woodward‘s, initially bagging groceries, and then he moved to the china department in West Vancouver before transitioning into working with Federated Co-op where he worked his way through to management in the hardware department for British Columbia.
About 1979, Ken’s working career took another u-turn when he decided to take a general management role with Bosley’s Pet Food Mart where he remained until his retirement in approximately 2002.
Ken was a very loving husband to his wife Georgina. They were in their 62nd year of marriage at the time of Georgina’s recent passing in January 2023. Together with his soulmate, Ken enjoyed many vacations to numerous destinations and he spent his retirement along with her enjoying their Palm Desert, California home each winter.
In addition to his two children and their spouses Ruth Harvey and David de Wolf, Ken leaves behind three grandchildren, Amanda Barnes (nee: Harvey, her husband James) along with Meaghan and Brent de Wolf. In addition, Ken had two great grandchildren, Leonardo and Rafael Barnes at the time of his passing.
Sadly, in late 2022 Ken developed cancer and after a serious operation in Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C. in January 2023, Ken unfortunately passed on February 25, 2023 due to complications further to his surgery.
Brian and Janice, along with the extended family, wish to acknowledge the dedicated care and compassion showed to Ken by all of his doctors, nurses and medical team at Peace Arch Hospital.
At Ken’s request, he did not wish any funeral service except for a private family memorial.