Obituary of Kenneth Joseph Puckall

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Kenneth Joseph Puckall at the Grace Hospital at the age of 77 years with his wife and daughter by his side. Ken was predeceased by his mother Mary (nee Kardynal) and father Jack (Joseph) Puckall. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Holly, his daughter Megan, his only sister Gail Smidt, his brother-in-law Adolphe Smidt, nephew Jeffrey Smidt (Kara) Danika and Dillan, nephew James Smidt (Janice), niece Gailynne Irvine (Dean) Matthew and Rebecca, the many Kardynal cousins and their families, and his many friends. Ken will be truly missed by his canine buddy, Finnian. Ken was born in Regina Saskatchewan. As a steam pipe fitter, Jack moved to various job sites. Ken and Gail attended many different schools in Saskatchewan and Alberta before settling into their family home on Sherburn Street in Winnipeg. Ken attended Principal Sparling School, Sargent Park Junior High and Daniel McIntyre High School. He excelled in school. He loved singing and was an asset to the Daniel McIntyre Choir. Throughout their childhood, special holidays were shared with their large extended family in Preeceville, Saskatchewan. Ken attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He became a Registered Professional Engineer (P. Eng) in August 1969. He made lifelong friends through his Engineering Fraternity, Sigma Phi Delta. Ken also met the love of his life and best friend, Holly, while at university. They were married in 1970 and celebrated their 50th anniversary in December 2020. Ken and Holly longed for a child and as they were unable to conceive, they decided to grow their family through adoption. After waiting seven years on the adoption wait list, they were thrilled to learn that they were at the top of the list. They rushed to purchase a larger home and seven months later beautiful baby Megan arrived. She has been the light of their lives. Ken loved her dearly and was very proud of the fine young woman she has become. Ken’s career spanned a wide range of positions in both the private and public sector. Initially, he specialized in instrumentation with Bailey Meter and then Foxboro Engineering. He served a term as president of the Winnipeg Section of Instrument Society of America. He went on to work with various engineering consultants including Wardrop & Associates, Nova 3, and Cochrane/Genivar. His roles included managing contracts, acting as Chief Engineer of Mechanical & Electrical Departments, Senior Electrical Engineer, and Manager Electrical Engineering. For many years Ken ran his own sales engineering companies Dawne International Consultants and Novacan International. Among the highlights or his career were missions to India/Singapore/Hong Kong organized by the government of Canada Global Affairs. For a span of almost nine years, Ken worked for the Manitoba Research Council as their Business Development Officer and Industry Liaison Program Coordinator with the University of Manitoba. Ken volunteered his time on committees with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba. In 2010 he was granted a Certificate of Fellowship by Engineers Canada in honour of his exceptional contributions to the engineering profession in Manitoba. Until a few years ago, Ken and Holly enjoyed summers at their island in the Lake of the Woods. Ken loved the beauty and serenity of the island. He was happy to share this island retreat with Gail and Adolphe and their children for many summers. Ken enjoyed hosting friends and family--BBQs, campfires, card games, charades. His mechanical skills were needed to build and maintain the septic system, keep outboard motors and water pumps and lawnmowers operating. Although he often complained about the work load, we think he secretly enjoyed finding creative solutions to problems with chicken wire and chewing gum. Age and declining health necessitated the sale of Lowe’s Island in August 2017. This summer, with the pandemic raging, Ken and Holly decided to purchase a Class C Recreational Vehicle so they could safely explore Manitoba. They truly enjoyed this new adventure. They were thrilled that Gail and Adolphe visited them at several camp sites. With the huge learning curve behind them, they were planning to upgrade to a Class A and venture east and west to visit friends and family next summer. Ken significantly touched many people’s hearts during his lifetime as evidenced by the dozens of tributes on social media and by text after the announcement of his passing. Comments included a wonderful kind hearted soul, one of the best bosses I ever had, my best and longest friend, wicked sense of humor, interesting guy and a great story teller, a true gentlemen, kind caring heart, a good man, my favourite uncle, always had a smile and kind words, BFF, a great friend who always watched out for me, Mr. Blue eyes, a wonderful man and a heartful soul, smartest man I ever knew with a wide range of knowledge, sweet personality, and finally “he won’t be forgotten because his soul and memories are now part of mine”. Ken’s loves and passions in no particular order: Holly and Megan, his extended family, his dog, Finnian, Lowe’s Island, the Winnipeg Jets, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Kauai, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Costa Rica, music, dancing, singing, watching hockey and football on TV, hosting family dinners, Christmas morning Irish coffee, Labatt’s Blue, discussing politics, religion, philosophy, American news, a good argument, teasing, joking, laughter, trivia, cross word puzzles, Jeopardy, many friends from his favourite watering hole, the Big A, old friends and new friends, online friends, and recently RVing. Ken has had many health problems and surgeries throughout his years. He was courageous and always managed to bounce back. This time a double combo of failing heart and probable mesothelioma (lung cancer due to asbestosis) proved to be more that he could handle. We will love you forever and miss you always! Cremation has taken place as per Ken’s wishes. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. We invite you to share a memory, picture or tribute on this site. If you so desire, memorial donations may be made in Ken’s name to his favourite charities: Agape Table or Harvest Manitoba; Or perhaps you would prefer to support Cancer Care Society or Heart and Stroke Manitoba.