Kenneth James McMeekin

December 25, 1961 – June 10, 2023
In loving memory ~

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ken, husband, father, and grandfather (Pappy), on June 10, 2023, in Port Coquitlam, BC at the age of 61.

Ken is predeceased by his parents, Alex and Jannet. He leaves behind his loving wife, Aya; daughters, Sabrina (Mike), Megan (Billy) and Jess (Mike); grandchildren, Audrey, Ethan, Owen, Clara, Rosalie, Teigan and Logyn; sister Donna (Gary), brother Colin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born and raised in Port Alberni, BC, Ken grew up at the home his father built in Cherry Creek. He loved sports, camping and fishing and enjoyed many fishing trips in Port Alberni on his brother Colin’s boat. He shared this passion with his three children, taking them on many camping adventures, including one trip on the Bowron Lakes canoe circuit. As an adult, Ken returned to school to graduate and eventually become a registered nurse, graduating from UBC. He worked at VGH as the charge nurse in the ER and even appeared on some episodes of the documentary series Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH. He loved being a nurse and made many friends in his new career, with whom he spent time surfing, kayaking, hiking, and skiing.

He met his wife Aya in 2010, and they were married in 2011. Together, they enjoyed hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, riding their bikes, and taking care of their dog Rocky, who Ken adored. Ken also loved being a Pappy; in 2011 his first grandchild was born, and in 2020 his seventh grandchild arrived. He loved visiting with his grandkids and was always happy to be silly and horse around with them, racing their strollers through the forest, climbing logs and trees, jumping into the ice-cold water to swim with them at the Hole in the Wall in Port Alberni, taking them on their first camping trips, and reading them stories.

In recent years, Ken enjoyed travelling to the Dominican Republic for his daughter Megan’s wedding, to Jamaica for his daughter Jess’s wedding, to Japan with Aya, and to Scotland with his siblings to finally see where his parents were raised, and to golf at St. Andrew’s-a life-long dream. Sadly, Lewy Body Dementia stole many years he should have had with his family. Ken was very strong right until the end of his life, thanks to his wife Aya for her dedication to his wellbeing. He was also very fortunate to have his sister, Donna, close by who provided love, care, and many visits during his illness. Even at the end of his illness, his grandkids’ silliness could still make Ken smile, and when they hugged him, he always hugged back.

We will all miss him dearly. His family would like to thank the staff at Nicola Lodge in Port Coquitlam for their care over the last year and a half that he lived there.