KENNETH RICHARD NAUMKO

June 28, 1967 – November 7, 2023

It is with broken hearts, profound sadness but with love we announce the passing of our beloved Kenneth Richard Naumko after a courageous, brief battle with cancer on November 7, 2023.

 

He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him casually or professionally for his kind, caring and humorous nature. He lived life with the philosophy of integrity, humility and loyalty. His memory will be cherished by his surviving family in mourning as a dedicated loving husband, son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and son-in-law.

 

Ken was predeceased by his mother Lovie Naumko (née Popowich); father Walter Naumko; loving wife of 21 years Roxane (née Falk) and their two beloved dogs, Malo and Fenway.

 

Ken is survived by his brothers, Robert and David; brother and sister-in-law, Rod and Tracy Falk; mother and father-in-law, Anne and Jim Falk; nieces and nephews, Meagan (Lambert) Wiebe, Wes (Diana) Mikulla, Natalie (Will) Sauer; great nieces and nephews, Ethan, Evan, Emily, Morgan, and Gabby; and second cousin Dennis (Jan) Peristy. Also, to mourn his passing are his numerous friends, band mates, work colleagues and neighbours over the years. He was affectionately known within various circles to his friends as “Dr. N.”, “Ken N.”, Keno”, “the Doctor”, “Thump”, "Ken N156" and “Stealth”.

 

Ken was born in Winnipeg on June 28, 1967 and grew up in the newly expanding suburban neighborhood of Westwood in St. James. He was the best little brother and son anyone could have wished for and often took the brunt of having to play goalkeeper in many street hockey games as he “earned his wings” being the youngest of the kids on the block. He surely was a brave soul. Other treasured memories were the family vacations in the 1970’s traversing Canada and the United States from coast to coast to coast (all by car) with the highlight of being able to experience Disneyland on several occasions. A lot was learned as a family during these times personally, geographically and culturally.

 

His formative scholastic journey began by attending Robert Browning Elementary School then on to Sansome Junior High for his middle school years. Ken was always academically astute and did very well even achieving Provincial awards on several occasions for science fair projects. Ken received his high school diploma and graduated from Westwood Collegiate in 1985. Ken spent several years at the University of Manitoba and worked at Beaver Lumber to help with his savings and tuition. Subsequently he went on to work for Dillon Engineering as a surveyor for several years before landing a job as a well-respected employee at Vic West Steel where he worked until his early retirement.

 

Ken was quite the athlete and enjoyed participating in many sports. He enjoyed playing volleyball, badminton and table tennis during his school years and played for both the local hockey and soccer community club Westwood teams where he along with his teammates won several provincial titles. He was also an avid darts player who always rose to the challenge for a “friendly” match. He loved golf and many a good time was had with him on the links over the years. Ken was an avid Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan and rarely missed a game over the years. His other passions were camping excursions his wife Roxane and dogs, gardening, comedy shows, science and cooking. He definitely was the grill master as he spent many days creating new recipes for his wife, family and friends to enjoy and savor. The fondest of memories was hanging with Ken on a nice summer day with a cold beer enjoying his grilling prowess, listening to good music along with deep and often funny conversations reminiscing of all the good times while anticipating what accomplishments and fortunes the future held in store. He was a natural, passionate amateur chef. He created so many delicious, memorable meals. His papaya - mango character hot sauce recipe made from his homegrown peppers and fresh garden ingredients was pure culinary creative genius and was enjoyed by so many family, friends and neighbours.

 

Ken’s biggest passion was his loving wife Roxane and their love for one another. They were the best together and enjoyed a wonderful life with their two dogs, Malo and Fenway. Ken missed Roxane deeply following her passing in 2021.

 

 His next biggest passion was music. He was very knowledgeable on this subject. While he loved to listen to and talk music, he also became a very qualified and exceptional bass guitar player where his impact on the local scene will leave an everlasting legacy. His first taste of “stardom” was his first band Siris in high school. They tore up the stage at several local “battle of the bands” events and was a prelude to his subsequent musical endeavors and engagements playing for a band called Wizard White. He then formed a band with his brother David in the early 80’s called Elixir Frenzy with other long time friends Derek Smith, Kevin Radomsky & Wayne Rowley who collectively wrote and performed a strong catalog of original songs (with gigs at the Curtis, The Zoo, Palladium, Georgie’s, St. Vital hotel and that memorable gig at the Saints Fort Garry Roller rink! along with some outdoor small festival & charity shows). Again, in the early 90’s, Ken and David found themselves in a newly created band called Creepy Erl with some local area long time friends Kevin Fitzgerald and Wayne Jordan. Such wonderful times were had and many beautiful musical and personal moments were captured in his heart and soul during this time. Those certainly were the days! Ken also produced, engineered, recorded and was instrumental on the release of his older brother Robert’s pianoscapes debut c.d. entitled “Some Time Seduced” in 1994 which garnered some critical local and national acclaim.

 

Brother David and Ken had been friends with the renowned Scottish rock band Nazareth and their crew for many years and both he and Ken experienced and enjoyed many concerts and social activities with them while on tour in Canada throughout the years. Ken and David always appreciated and were so thankful for their generosity and friendship and were treated with the utmost respect and access to their shows. Thank you to the Nazareth clan past and present for your unwavering kindness to Ken over the years – it meant the world to him.

 

A special heartfelt thank you to Ken’s long time and loyal friends Grant Stefanson and brother-in-law, Rod Falk for their devoted compassion and for the comfort Ken received from you in his final days. We are so grateful and honored Ken had you both in his life.

 

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Boniface Hospital, Grace Hospital Emergency, Trish – the cancer care nurse who showed an amazing amount of concern and care for him during her home visits, Riverview Care Facility and those who helped Ken in the twilight of his life until his passing.

 

As per Ken’s wishes there will be no funeral and cremation has taken place. His ashes will reside eternally beside his loving wife Roxane at a columbarium niche at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

 

To Ken’s family and friends – a new star now shines in the Heavens. Please keep your personal memories of Ken in your heart and in the days and years ahead – hope that they bring a smile to your face and a warming in your heart as that is what he would have wanted. His life’s mission is now complete.

 

May you rest in eternal peace Kenneth – you will always be loved and never forgotten.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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