WARDROPER, Wilfrid Kenneth, born January 12, 1922, died February 26, 2009 in Victoria, B.C.. Husband of beloved wife, Nancy, née Wilson (deceased) and sons, Lawrence and Andrew (of Ottawa, Ontario), brother to John Wardroper (London, UK). Ken was born near Duncan and lived in Cowichan Station until 1939 when he joined the Canadian Army upon the outbreak of WWII. He served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment during the Normandy invasion, and the liberation of Holland. He attained the rank of Captain with the regiment and was invalided out of the service when seriously wounded for the second time in April 1945. A lengthy recovery followed, after which he joined the Department of External Affairs as a foreign service officer. He served his country in this capacity for a further 37 years, his last overseas posting being Norway where he held the position of Ambassador. He followed his public service by joining the Council of Canadians, determined to preserve the country and people he loved and led them as interim leader after the resignation of its founder, Mel Hurtig. His career, like his life, was the result of single-minded devotion to those things that mattered the most, his family, and his duty to his country, seeing obstacles as opportunities to achieve great things. He will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 10:30 a.m. in MCCALL BROS. FAMILY CHAPEL, Johnson and Vancouver Streets, the Reverend D. Hatfield officiating, followed by a reception in the Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
-
Pierrette Landry
-
Judith Hooker Dear Lawrence and Andrew, My sincere condolences for the loss of your father. We will miss him! He was a very pleasant, interesting, dignified man who obviously was also humble as well! Reading about his life was most interesting. Sincerely, Judith
-
lorne james It was an honor to have kenny as a friend, a proud member of “team dorchester” graduate of “bridge spy school” probably unkown amongst your accolades. He will always be remembered…… Lucky
-
Peter Dodd Lawrence, thank you for your call. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you.
Unfortunately,my wife and I will not be able to attend the memorial service tomorrow. Instead, we offer our deep sympathy to your brother and to you. We knew your Dad through mutual friendship with the late Gwladys Downes, and also as a fellow member of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs. He was invariably kind and cheerful, with intelligent and insightful comments about the world situation. We will miss him.
-
Peter Chance Allow me to offer my sincere condolences on your sad loss. While I had no direct connection with your parents, my mother and father always spoke glowingly of your mother and father, especially when my father was the Canadian Consul General in Los Angeles.
Peter Chance
-
Jack Amo On behalf of the Canadian Scottish Regimental Association I wish to express our deepest condolences on the occasion of Ken’s passing away.
Jack Amo
Sec/Tres, Canadian Scottish Regimental Association.
-
Kathi Taylor Andrew and Lawrence: So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I will miss his stories of years gone by. He had such riveting stories! Your father was a very dignified, refined gentleman and we really enjoyed having him visit us. It was very sad for everyone to watch his health decline and I imagine most frustrating for him. Our thoughts are with you and your families. Your dad will be missed by many. Kathi from Dr. Hooker’s office
Dear Andrew and Lawrence,
I met your father through the Council of Canadians. I am truly sorry for your loss. Having lost both parents in 2008, I certainly feel for you. Please accept my sincere condoleances.
Pierrette