KENNETH (KEN) FITZMAURICE

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ken Fitzmaurice.  He left us peacefully on October 16th surrounded by family. 

Ken will be deeply missed and remembered with love by his wife and companion Michelle; children, Tyler (Melanie) and Kelly (Bec); as well as his grandchildren, Lou, Sullivan, and Jasper.

He also leaves to mourn his siblings, Paulette (Glen), Guy, Dennis (Christy), Kathy (Mich); brothers-in-law, Bob Ermet and George Bouchard (Carla); sister-in-law Janet Williams; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Jackie; brother-in-law Terry Williams; father-in-law George Bouchard; mother-in-law Patricia Foley; father Gerry Fitzmaurice; and mother Pauline Dubois.

He was a devoted Husband, Dad, Papa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend. We are comforted in knowing that his sister Jackie’s spirit was waiting to welcome him, and that they are reunited in their incredible bond of laughter and love.

Without a doubt, Ken will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to family. His children and grandchildren truly were the light of his life. He left us as he lived, by filling us with laughter and love. In his final hours, when he could no longer speak, he tapped his toe on beat to the music as we all sang his favourite songs by his bedside. Those small movements brought us enormous comfort. He was caring for us, making sure we smiled and laughed through our tears.

Ken and I began our life together 50 years ago, a milestone we proudly celebrated this past June. He marked the occasion by gifting me a family necklace that he was very proud to have picked out with Kelly. More recently, he asked our kids to do some clandestine shopping for my birthday. The family gathered at his bedside two days before his passing for a most memorable birthday party. The gift that brought us the biggest smile was a set of strawberry bath products to remind me of the kit he had given me on my 18th birthday. Afterward my mother Pat would joke that when I got ready, I would emerge from the bathroom “like a strawberry cloud”.

Ken was my official “finder,” always locating my glasses, phone, or purse. He took this job seriously and, in his final mission, he left me a set of Apple AirTags to ensure I could track down my keys and purse even after he was gone.

He was my compass in every sense. In life’s best moments and in times of worry, his greatest gift was the steady belief that anything was possible and that we would find our way through. He was also my literal compass, scoffing at Google maps from the passenger seat of the Venza while plotting out a 26-turn shortcut to save three minutes on a cross-town trip.

He was so very proud of our children, Kelly and Tyler, and loved hearing about what they were doing and dreaming of. He had an unwavering belief in them and supported every adventure they pursued.

Before he had kids of his own, Ken loved spending time with and spoiling his brother-in-law Butch, and then later all his nieces and nephews. Whether it was building a treehouse, time on the beach, ice fishing at Buffalo Point, taking them to McDonald’s or Ruckers, riding the train at The Forks, serving Schwartz’s brisket on the beach at Minaki, the stuffed mouse challenge, building a workbench covered in carvings of impossible dreams, or gifting his rubber raft to his nephew so he could float down the Athabasca River, Ken loved each and every one of them just as they loved him.

He was always there to help friends and family. Whether it was cutting grass, snow blowing up and down Ferndale, pitching in on renovations, or helping a neighbour grow world-class tomatoes, Ken loved lifting up his community in every way he could.

Becoming a Locomotive Engineer was one of Ken’s proudest accomplishments. School had never been his favourite, and he often remembered the Railway Instructor who convinced him to stay the day he nearly quit. Though the hours were difficult and we never knew if he would make it home for Christmas Eve, somehow he always did. Ken loved his work and carried with him countless stories of sunrises, wildlife, and adventures on the rails.

At the age of 34, Ken graduated from massage therapy college while working, studying, and raising his children, he discovered his remarkable gift as a healer. He cared for friends, family, and clients alike with skill and compassion. Choosing between careers wasn’t easy, as his love for both paths ran deep.

He tackled renovating our Norwood home with commitment, determination, and a can-do attitude. Ken was so proud of the work he put into transforming it, and we were deeply grateful to all who helped turn that house into a home. Kelly brought the latest vision to life, adding the finishing touches, and Ken took great joy in seeing his vision fully realized and beautiful.

He cherished his Irish heritage and had a gift for storytelling. True to the Irish spirit, a few stories were told more than once, with ever-increasing “flair” but each time we laughed just as hard, because the joy came from laughing with him.

Following a severe stroke in 2006, Ken found new ways to appreciate life and continued to move forward. He was up for every type of physical and occupational therapy, and many incredible people played a role in modifying everything from his furniture to his cookware to his car to help him gain independence. We all stood in awe as he started volunteering for Cancer Care as a driver. We would pre-program his day’s route in GPS in the morning, and he would set sail to shuttle people to appointments all over town in some of their toughest moments.

Both Tyler and Kelly inherited Ken’s belief that anything was possible. Inspired by his tireless drive to improve, they adopted his motto: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Over the years, they worked hard to ensure their dad was included in every moment whether by adapting his fishing gear for trips on the water or building rock-solid railings down to the beach at Buffalo Point so he could still be part of all the sandy fun with his grandkids.

Twelve years ago, he began his adventures on his mobility scooter. He would cruise around Norwood, to The Forks, and to every corner of the south end. More than once, he came home on a snowy day to share that a kind stranger had pushed him out of a snow ridge on the riverbank trail. He loved scooting with the kids and to their events. In the winter, he would pull all three grandkids to Tim Hortons behind his scooter on a sleigh. They would return grinning ear to ear with hot chocolate moustaches and sprinkles lining their scarves. His favourite scooter trips with Tyler included a 20 km round trip to Costco and many sunset cruises listening to Motown through Bois des Esprits.

Most of all, Ken simply loved being with his family. Laughing together and listening to whatever was happening in their lives brought him so much joy. We have always loved our children’s partners as our own, often saying how fortunate we were to have four children to love. Our lives grew even richer with the arrival of our grandchildren, Lou, Sullivan, and Jasper. They filled his heart with love, staging bedroom plays, watching movies on the couch, looking through family photos and videos, sneaking treats together before dinner, Lou creating Spotify playlists for their shows, Sully carefully explaining his Lego creations, and Jasper inventing the oddly named superhero Johnny Plant Goo and rushing in whenever Ken rang a bell for rescue. Every moment delighted him and filled him with happiness.

Ken will be deeply missed by family, extended family, and the many friends who were touched by his warmth, generosity, and humour. Always willing to help in whatever way he could, may his kindness live on in all of us. 

We offer our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Paquin for her constant compassion and care for Ken. We are grateful for the support of the Palliative Care Program in keeping Ken at home surrounded by love, family and music.

He had many favourite stories throughout his life. We hope you hear them often, and that they make you chuckle because he’ll be listening, and nothing made him happier than hearing people laugh.

Rest in peace, Ken. 

You are gone, but we promise 

we will never forget you. 

We will carry close in our hearts 

the love and acceptance 

you showed us.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; 

then do what’s possible; 

and suddenly you are 

doing the impossible.”

 — Francis of Assisi

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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