Richard Kenneth BEACH

BEACH, Richard Kenneth (Ken) Richard Kenneth (Ken) Beach of Ottawa passed away peacefully in his sleep January 5, 2008 at the Civic Hospital, Ottawa, in his 86th year. He was the second son, born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was predeceased by his parents May (1942) and Harry (1963), as well as his dear older brother Reg (2000), his niece Maureen and sisters-in-law Betty and Barbara. Ken was raised in Winnipeg where he learned he loved golf. He sang in St. George's Choir, where he first noticed Phyl. He worked in insurance until he enlisted in the Winnipeg Dragoons with his brother. He navigated armoured cars in England and Europe during World War II where he reached a T in the road and made the decision to put his life in the Lord's hands, a faith that rewards and sustains him still. He returned to Winnipeg in 1946, convinced Phyl to marry him, and enrolled in the University of Manitoba under the Veteran's Bill, where he completed but didn't receive his B.Eng degree due to the great flood of 1950. With new son Rick they moved to Quebec City, where Jan was born, then England where Cathy was born, and then Ottawa where Barbara was born. There he built two houses and a cottage for his family. The family moved to Cobourg and then back to Ottawa, where he worked at NRC. He was easily recognized by his height, he would only admit to 6'6", adding the extra three-quarters when pressed for accuracy. He loved to understand, build or fix things, preferably on his own. He had a witty sense of humour and a small collection of jokes. He loved to golf, play cards, and win. For the last 30 years, he liked to spend time at the family cottage at Brothers Island. Above all, he loved his family, especially his loving wife of 60 years Phyl, son Rick Beach and granddaughter, Heather; daughter Jan (Bohdan) Lachowsky and grandchildren Stephan, Nadia, Leanna, Nathan; daughter, Cathy Beach; and daughter Barbara Beach (Patrick Bartel), grandchildren Julia, Martha, John; sisters-in-law: Shirley Beach and Dorothy (Henry) Gibbs; brother-in-law the Ven. John Lee; and many nieces and nephews and a few cousins. Funeral service at St. Mark's Anglican Church (Fisher & Normandy Cres.) Thursday, Jan 10th at 2:30PM, reception to follow. Private family Interment of Ashes will occur at the Columbarium at Christ Church Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Anglican Primate's World Relief and Development Fund. Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 1/8/2008 - 1/9/2008