Obituary of Kenneth Alvin Bird
Ken died easily and peacefully at home on January 10, 2025 with Susan (and dog Abby) by his side.
He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret Rosella (Jones) Bird and Garnet Alfred Bird of Saskatoon. He is survived by his sisters, Diane (Michel Quirion) of Quebec and Bonnie (Jim Lowes) and brothers, Keith (Kim) and Brian (Dianne) all of Prince Albert and by his longtime partner, Susan Ballantyne, his stepson, Sam Ballantyne (Hannah Johnson) and his granddaughter, June Ballantyne of Brooklyn, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Ken started working for Canada Post shortly after university and quickly became an active member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. He was soon working full time for the union, and worked in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ottawa, as a member of the grievance department, and as the National Chief Steward. He was a member of the negotiating committee for the collective agreement between CPC and the Rural and Suburban Mail Couriers. He continued to provide advice to the union’s negotiating committee even after his retirement
He loved Grand Manan and he also loved to travel. He visited Botswana, South Africa, Nicaragua, Spain and Italy (several times) and England (many times), France, Iceland, Greenland, Hawaii, California (many times), Arizona, Nevada, New York (many times) and every Canadian province. He loved the Spanish language and spent years studying it.
When his health permitted, he was an active volunteer at Thrifty’s, the GM Museum, the GM Art Gallery, the breakfast program at the GMC school, WinWin, Action Ministries Christmas hampers, Rotary auctions and other Rotary events. He also loved to weed the many gardens that he and Susan had.
Many thanks to Dr. Bewick, RN Lisa Dupuis, the staff of the Emergency Department and the Cardiac Care Unit of the Saint John Regional Hospital, Dr. Heir and the nurses and kitchen staff of the Grand Manan Hospital and especially to Extra-Mural RN Sally Ingersoll, who provided exceptional care.
If desired, donations in his memory can be made to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library/Grand Manan Literacy project. Cheques can be sent to Memorial Trust Fund of the Rotary Club of GM c/o 2199 Route776 GM E5G 3H7 or by e-transfer to rotarymemorialtrust@gmail.com, or to the Cardiac Care Unit of the Saint John Regional Hospital, or to Doctors Without Borders.
He will be cremated by Brenan’s at a private ceremony early this week.
There will be a visitation/reception at St. Paul’s Hall (Ingalls Head Road) on Sunday, January 19, between 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
