Obituary of Kenneth Howard Potter

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Ken.

He was born in Toronto on October 22, 1947 and passed away at home on March 25, 2024 with his loving wife Judy by his side.

Ken will be greatly missed by wife Judy, sons Derek (Pamela), Jeffrey, grandchildren Katie, Timmy and Peyton, siblings Mildred Anderson (Robert), Ralph Potter (Linda O’Donnell) and many nieces and nephews. 

Ken was predeceased by sister-in-Law Marita Potter.

Ken grew up in Port Credit where he attended Forest Avenue Public School and Port Credit Secondary School.  It was during those years he developed a love for hockey and golf.  After high school, he attended George Brown college in Toronto where he studied electronics.  After graduation, in 1968, he qualified for the RCMP as a radio technician, but while waiting for a job opening he accepted a job at York University as a technician mainly working on their newly created language lab.  

By September the RCMP had an opening in Ottawa and he promptly moved there at that time.  While in Ottawa, he met Judy through mutual friends.  They were married in June 1971 and immediately moved to Yellowknife to start a new life together.  Ken was the first Civilian Member to assume that newly created technical position and he liked to claim his service area included the Arctic from top to bottom and side to side.  His area of responsibility extended from Fort Smith to Spence Bay and Fort Liard to Eskimo Point, with occasional jobs in Whitehorse, Inuvik, and then Frobisher Bay.

It was in Yellowknife their first son, Derek, was born.   After 5 years in the north, it was time to return south and he accepted a transfer to Winnipeg.  Soon afterwards their second son, Jeffrey, was born.  Upon arrival in Winnipeg, Ken sought out a hockey team to play with and landed on the newly formed Maples #2 team.  It was from that hockey team Ken made several significant friendships, many which exist to this day.  In fact for several years now many of the early members of that team still get together in December for an annual brunch.

Once Derek and Jeff started playing hockey, Ken started his coaching career, coaching one or the other over a 10 year span.  Back in those days many practices and games were played outdoors.  Those were some cold days! 

Ken built a cottage at Arnes where the family spent many summers enjoying boating, water activities and playing golf.

Life and work in Winnipeg continued until Ken retired in 2000, after 32 ½ years with the RCMP.  After retirement he worked at the Manitoba Museum partly as a volunteer and partly as a paid employee until 2006.  At that time, he convinced Judy to retire and they bought a mobile home in Mission, Texas.  They spend winters in Texas enjoying trailer park activities and playing golf with good friends Linton and Ollie.

While in Texas they had annual visits from Ken’s siblings, and these visits invariably were the reason for many Caribbean cruises. 

Because of his technical background Ken was also known as the “park” technician helping other residents set up tv’s, satellite systems and telephone systems. 

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren Katie, Timmy and Peyton.  He often took them to the park and for rides in his mustang convertible.  On most visits to grandad's house a broken toy was left for repair and was always fixed in short order. 

Six years ago, Ken was diagnosed with cancer, which he valiantly fought.  Special thanks for the caring support and compassion from Cancer Care (Dr. Dawe), the Palliative Care Nurses, Rev. Wayne McIntosh and St. Francis congregation, as well as family and friends during this difficult time.