Simard,

It is with great sadness but also great peace the family of the late Ken Simard announces his passing on January 12, 2008; due to a stroke and complications of pneumonia. Ken was greatly loved by many people because he was the most caring and loving person. He made every one of his acquaintances; friends and family feel special and had a unique relationship with each one. Ken had a great sense of humour and he loved nothing more than having a good laugh and talk over a cup of coffee and a smoke. Ken would give whatever he had to share, even if it meant he went without. He had great empathy for the suffering of others because he had known so much suffering himself. Ken is survived by his sisters Theresa "Terry" Stevens of Kenora, ON, Gladys & husband Joseph Comeau of Thunder Bay, ON and Darlene & husband Gerald Thompson of Vancouver, BC. He is also survived by his older brothers Louis & wife Bessie Simard of Dryden, ON, George & wife Priscilla Simard of Fort Frances, ON and Norman Simard & partner John Fitzpatrick of Toronto, ON. Ken loved children and was greatly loved & will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. Especially, Serenity Nyberg, Isaiah Stevens, Fawn Stevens, Faith Stevens, Veralee Wesley, Russell Bunn, Douglas Comeau, Annie Comeau, Nicole Chabluk, Betty-Anne Thompson, Christine Simard, Louis Simard, Estelle Simard, Dylan Simard, Verna May Simard, Cecil Simard and David Simard and Sean and Tanya Haigh. His many great nieces and nephews, Jolene Comeau, Julie Simard, Patricia "MiMi" Wesley, Jeremiah Chubluk - with whom he was especially close. Ken is also survived by his wife Darlene Cutfeet of Winnipeg, MB. Ken was predeceased by his father Stanford Simard and his beloved mother Elizabeth Simard, his grandparents Joseph and Mary Duck, brothers Charles and Alex Simard, as well as his sister Margaret Haigh, and his good friend and partner of many years Marjorie Szepanski. Special thanks to his soul mate Mariah Esquega, who was with him until the end with his nieces Serenity Nyberg, Anne and Mary Magiskan, Nicole and Hannah Chabluk and Christine Simard & her husband Terry Chicago. For Estelle Simard, Dylan & Vivian Simard, Julie Simard, David Simard and Betty Boshkaykin, we thank you for your support & comfort during this difficult time. A special thanks to TBRHSC and the doctors and nursing staff of ICU Unit & 2C for their sensitive care. Ken was born and raised in Red Lake, ON. As an adult he moved to Thunder Bay, ON and Winnipeg, MB where he lived for many years. More recently he moved back to Thunder Bay, ON. Ken was a natural counselor and advocate for his people and spent many of his adult years working for various native organizations helping others. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday January 15, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Kitchitwa Kateri Tekakwitha Centre, 451 Syndicate Ave. North, Thunder Bay, ON. They will be conducted by Father Larry Kroker, s.j. & Deacon Louis Simard. Visitation will take place one hour before the funeral service. A prayer service will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Blake Funeral Chapel. The family invites all who knew and loved Kenny to come & celebrate his life and mourn his passing with us. Final Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery. A tree will be planted in memory of Kenneth Simard in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 29, 2008. On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com