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KENNETH JAMES NAIRNE
Born: Oct 20, 1940
Date of Passing: Jun 28, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryKENNETH JAMES NAIRNE
On Friday, June 28, 2024, Kenneth James Nairne, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.
Ken was born October 20, 1940, in Portage la Prairie, during the early days of the Second World War, to Fred and Lillian Nairne.
It was a hard scrabble life for Ken and his siblings, Joyce and Brian. The family lived in several small communities in southern Manitoba, eventually settling in Winnipeg, where Ken attended Churchill High School. Ken met Elaine who he would later marry in a partnership that lasted almost 60 years. In time, a son named Douglas was born, followed by another son, Ross, and a daughter, Kathryn (Sutherland).
Ken's presumptive path was to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather - hard working, hard living men who toiled in manual labour and railway jobs. But Ken wanted something else from life and sought a post-secondary education, where he discovered his calling was to social work. Attending school rather than work wasn't a popular decision with everyone in Ken's life - but he persevered, completing a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from the University of Manitoba.
Ken's career as a social worker began in Swan River where he worked for Provincial Welfare for a year. He returned to school to complete his Master's degree and then moved to Dauphin to work for Child Welfare, where he made many lifelong friends.
In 1971, Ken joined the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD), now known as Manitoba Possible, where he spent most of his working life as the Executive Director. He brought his young family to Brandon, where he opened SMD's Westman office, and lived for more than 50 years. His work with SMD saw him assist countless individuals and families in Westman, Central and Parkland areas of Manitoba. Following his retirement, Ken was the Executive Director of The Counselling Center in Brandon.
Ken had a passion for gardening, and he made sure his children appreciated the value of a good day's work pulling weeds.
Summers were for camping and long road trips in the family station wagon. More than one tent was pitched in a dark provincial campground under gale force winds and driving rain.
A few tempers were lost along the way, with the threat of leaving a misbehaving son (or two) at the side of the highway often made, but never carried out.
As time went on, children were married, and grandchildren arrived. Ken was blessed with four grandsons (Reid, Cole, Dylan and Sebastian) and two granddaughters (Mei-li and Sienna). He loved his grandchildren with all his heart, and they loved him back. He took great joy from the next generation of his family, whether it was teaching them to play chess, watching their sporting events, digging worms in the garden or teaching them to jump in puddles. He was keenly interested in their studies and careers and enjoyed hearing about their adventures.
Ken lived a life of service and was a dedicated volunteer with the Brandon Lions Club and within the church; leading Bible study groups over the years. He also served on several boards including the YMCA, CMHC and Brandon Access Transit. Ken thoroughly enjoyed attending Wheat King games, working out at the YMCA, and participating in Toastmasters and the Ecumenical men's group. In his later years, Ken decided to continue his university studies and his grandson Cole helped him register for his courses and made sure he found the lecture hall each week. Ken had a deep interest in genealogy and traced his ancestors back to the 17th century, documenting the family's migration to Canada in the early 20th century.
After a journey of almost 84 years, Ken's body grew weary and his soul tired. Having lived a long and full life, it was time to say farewell. He died peacefully in the morning of June 28, 2024 with family at his bedside. In his final moments, Ken may have reflected on a life well lived. Ken changed his stars, and his legacy carries on in the lives he touched.
Thank you to Prairie Mountain Health Home Care staff, and the Brandon Regional Health Centre Services medical and nursing staff for the excellent care Ken received. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ken can be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Ave East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3, or the Brandon YMCA, 231 8th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 3X2 for gym equipment.
A celebration of Ken's life will be held at the Monterey Estates Banquet Hall, 40 Mockingbird Drive in Brandon, on July 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Publish Date: Jul 13, 2024
KENNETH JAMES NAIRNE
Kenneth James Nairne passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024.
A Celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held at Monterey Estates Banquet Hall, 40 Mockingbird Drive, Brandon, MB, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Complete obituary information to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 6, 2024
KENNETH JAMES NAIRNE
Kenneth James Nairne passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024. A Celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held at Monterey Estates Banquet Hall, 40 Mockingbird Drive, Brandon, MB, on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Complete obituary information to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 6, 2024
KENNETH JAMES NAIRNE
Kenneth James Nairne passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024.
A Celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held at Monterey Estates Banquet Hall, 40 Mockingbird Drive, Brandon, MB, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Complete obituary information to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 6, 2024
KENNETH JAMES NAIRNE
Kenneth James Nairne passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024. A Celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held at Monterey Estates Banquet Hall, 40 Mockingbird Drive, Brandon, MB, on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Complete obituary information to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 6, 2024
As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2024, Jul 06, 2024, Jul 13, 2024
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Elaine and Family I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ken. Please accept my condolences and may you be comforted. Kate Pacey - Posted by: Kate Pacey (Cousin's wife) on: Jan 12, 2025
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I knew Ken for many years throughout the ‘70’s and 80’s when we both were department heads with the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities. Ken was a good colleague and friend. He was accomplished and positive in all his work and leadership responsibilities. I admired his warm and wry sense of humour as well as his ability to rise above the fray when issues became controversial. Ken was a very professional social worker with high moral and ethical standards. My sincere condolences to the family and Brandon community for their loss of an outstanding man. May Ken rest in peace in the arms of angels for all eternity! By Donna Cunningham (Zdriluk). - Posted by: Donna Cunningham (Friend and colleague) on: Jul 15, 2024
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I had the privilege of working for Ken in the Westman office of SMD from 1994 to 1996. I remember the kindness and support that he and Elaine provided to me and my young family when we moved to the community. He was a source of wisdom and experience, and I learnt much from his examples of leadership and his social work expertise. He was always patient and gentle with guidance and helping me learn. He spoke of his children with great pride. He had a warm and caring smile that would light up a room. I have no doubt he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. - Posted by: Mark Sagan (Former employee) on: Jul 14, 2024
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Elaine and family, I am so sorry to learn of Ken's passing. He was a well respected person by his friends and his community. With sincere sympathy to you and your family, Margaret Brown. - Posted by: Margaret Brown (Friend) on: Jul 07, 2024