Kenneth MacGray

Kenneth Ian Murray MacGray (February 9th 1927 – November 26th, 2013)

Born in the vicinity of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Raised in an orphanage by an Anglican priest and his own bootstraps. Worked from childhood selling newspapers on trains, delivering groceries by bicycle, driving a fish truck and at any job he could get.
After serving in World War II,
Ken became a radio reporter and later print reporter in Thunder Bay, Kitchener and (for 25 years) at the Toronto Star. He often said of his days at the Star that he loved going to work and loved coming home again. Whilst at the Star he was on many beats as a reporter and later an editor. He also developed StarPhone, innovative for its time as a source of multilingual, on-demand news. Ken was an expert pilot, rower, ski jumper, cook, sailor and all-round handyman at home and at the cottage. He loved a party and to serve his own spiced beef recipe at Christmas time.
Ken died quickly and peacefully and is survived by his wife Martha, daughter Sara and husband Mike Rumsey, son David and wife Kathryn and their two daughters Sophie and Lauren. He is much loved and much missed but memories of his stories and escapades are a source of joy.
Ken developed dementia in his later years, living latterly in West Park Long Term Care Centre where he received good care. He and his family were blessed to have had an extraordinary caregiver, David Jones, to be his friend, advocate and supporter. The two shared going for walks, hamburger lunches and watching the airplanes at Pearson.
Visitation will be at Ward Funeral Home Weston Chapel (2035 Weston Road, Toronto M9N 1X7) Friday November 29th from 2.00pm to 4.00pm and 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Funeral service will be at Kingsway Lambton United Church (85 The Kingsway, Toronto M8X 2T6) Saturday November 30th at 1.00pm.
If so desired, donation to a charity of one’s choice is a lovely tribute to Ken.
Please visit our Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com