On Wednesday, August 26th, our Dad, Kenneth Ken Bydeley passed quickly and peacefully like he’d always hoped in the presence of his children, Barb (Rob) Prince and David Bydeley, and his Granddaughter, Taylor Spitzig at Bluewater Health Sarnia. We enjoy the thought that Mom, Marilyn Bydeley (2021) decided she’d had enough quiet time in Heaven and decided to call her husband of 57 years to join her. Dad listened for once, decided he too was ready and joined her.
Ken is also survived by many family members and friends: Granddaughter Chelsey (Jay) Prince-Wilson, Great Grandsons, Jake & Ben; his siblings Margaret Takema, Cec (Vera) Bydeley, Fran Van De Hoef, Anna (Jack) Woolford, Steve (Dianne) Bydeley, Jake (Debbie) Bydeley: In-laws Barb Purton, Shirley Evans, Wayne (Margaret) Phibbs, Nathalie Prosser-Bydeley, and many nieces and nephews.
Ken is predeceased by his parents, Wijbe bij de Leij and Anna (De Jong), his in-laws George (Shorty) & Gertie Purton, siblings and in-laws Halbe Taekema, Tina & Norm VanHuizen, Harry Van de Hoef, Harry & Linda Bydeley, Liz & John Joose, Emily Phibbs, and Jack Evans.
Dad was born in Minnertsga, Friesland (Netherlands), in 1941 and immigrated with his family after the war to Canada. The family settled first in Forest and eventually moved to Sarnia. Leaving school early, Dad worked in various jobs contributing to the family, before deciding to follow in his fathers’ footsteps of construction. His father and him built houses as Bydeley Builders, before dissolving it prior to the birth of his first child. Dad then worked for various companies over the years: Hoestra Construction, Sarnia Sash & Door, Sarnia Cabinets (Countertop Division), Lambton Construction, John Vandeveese Construction, Cserni Construction, before ending his career at Imperial Oil. Dad used all his skills to continually renovate and update our Cobden street home of 50+ years. In retirement he kept busy doing odd jobs for people and woodworking for the craft sale circuit. The family will always treasure the things he made us.
Dad was a sports enthusiast. He loved playing soccer, bowling and watching the Blue Jays, Lions and his beloved Toronto Maple Leaf’s. In the late 70s Dad was very proud of his resemblance to Borje Salming always enjoying when someone mistook him and asked for his autograph. Dad volunteered with the Sarnia Bells; women’s fastball team and he was a goal judge for the Sarnia Jr Bees. Later he even got into miniature harness horse racing in many capacities.
Dad grew up as a member of the Sarnia 2nd Christian Reformed Church (now Living Hope) and then became a Member of Patterson Memorial Church (now Emanuel Presbyterian Church). Dad joined the choir as he loved singing, the old hymns were his favourites.
Dad loved to drive, from long Sunday afternoon tours to road trips across the country. Dad has driven to both the east and west coasts, as far north as Alaska, and down south to Florida, where they wintered 6 months for 20+ years.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Village on the St Clair for providing Dad a wonderful place to live during his last years. We would also like to thank the EMTs, Drs. Haywood and Crombeen, and the Nursing Staff from Bluewater Health for taking care of Dad during his last hours.
As per Dads wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. We will at a future date, in a family ceremony, release Mom and Dad’s ashes together, at Centennial Park, Point Lands Cremated Ashes Scattering Site.
In lieu of flowers, sympathy may be expressed through donations to the United Way, Sarnia Lambton. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia. Memories and condolences may be sent online at
www.smithfuneralhome.ca
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