Kenneth Thomas Gaughan
elevated dfaPu October 14, 1919 – April 12, 2018
elevated dfaPu Visitation
Wednesday April 18, 2018 from 5 pm – 8 pm
elevated dfaPu Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated dfaPu Funeral Mass
Thursday April 19, 2018 at 1:30 pm
elevated dfaPu Chapel of St. Joseph – Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
elevated dfaPu Obituary
elevated dfaPu
elevated dfaPu Ken entered this world in Palasa, India, on October 14, 1919, the son of Percy and Antoinette (Neta) Gaughan. He spent his early years learning life lessons from the Irish Christian Brothers, at St Patrick’s, in Asansol, and maintained a lifelong gratitude for the kindness they showed him. It was a surprise and a delight, when some of the Brothers were able to attend his wedding, many years later.
elevated dfaPu While attending College at St Xavier’s, in Calcutta, he lived with the family of his school buddy, Eugene Duncan, whose sister, Marcheta, became his lifelong love.
elevated dfaPu In 1941, upon completion of college & with WWII underway, Ken joined the Armed Forces, and was posted to the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment/10th Army. As part of the Paiforce (Persia/Iraq), he was stationed at Basra, Mosul, Baghdad, and later Tehran. He returned to India in 1945, and was finally demobilized in July, 1946.
elevated dfaPu On December 31, 1946, at the Calcutta Police New Year’s Eve Ball, Ken and Marcheta met up once again, and the rest is History. They were married on August 27, 1949.
elevated dfaPu Ken joined Pan American Airlines in 1948, and was lucky to have opportunities for many business and leisure trips abroad, including a circumnavigation of the globe.
elevated dfaPu Ken and Marcheta immigrated to Canada with their four children, Linda, Marina, Ken (Peter), and Suzanne, in 1964. He worked at CN Rail until his retirement in 1984.
elevated dfaPu He filled his retirement years with travel, spoiling his beloved grandchildren Ryland, Martin, Mary-Claire and Julia, and indulging his love of tennis & soccer by watching the many tournaments on tv. All the while maintaining the tradition of cocktail hour before dinner, which some have suggested is the true source of his longevity.
elevated dfaPu Ken is survived by Marcheta, his wife of almost 69 years; his sister, Blossom Conway, sister-in-law Gloria Conway, and brother-in-law George Loan. He will also be missed by his children, Linda Gaughan, Marina Elms (and Paul Klingborg), Ken Peter (and Laurie) Gaughan, and Suzanne (and Ronald) Wales; his four grandchildren Ryland Elms, Martin Wales (and Elishia Porter), Mary-Claire (and Melissa) Sarmiento, and Julia (and Loa) Ngaue; and his precious great-grandchildren Darius and Addison Wales, Marley and Naomi Ngaue, and baby Sarmiento, due later this year.
elevated dfaPu The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the staff of Del Manor Northtown, and the nurses and doctors at North York General Hospital, for all of their care and unfailing kindness.
elevated dfaPu In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to North York General Hospital, or to the Good Shepherd Ministries, where Ken volunteered for many years.
elevated dfaPu North York General Hospital: http://www.nygh.on.ca/
Good Shepherd Ministries: http://www.goodshepherd.ca/
Marcheta, Linda, Marina, Peter and Suzanne,
I will cherish my visits with Ken forever. He was the definition of the word “gentleman” . His infectious smile and keen interest in others made him beloved….and his love for his family was paramount.
Rest in peace my dear, dear friend. You made this world a better place .
XO,
Leslie Taylor-Houston
Love and condolences to Marcheta and family.
So sorry for your loss. May Uncle Ken rest in peace.
Ashley, Pat (Davis) and family.
It is with great sadness and regret that we learned of Ken’s passing. He was a gentleman in the truest sense and it was an honour to have known him.
With our deepest sympathy,
Jackie North and Ian Sugg
Members of RCL Branch 66
Ken was a friend of the late Bob Maslen at Legion Branch 66. At many of their annual Veterans’ Dinners I took a photo of the threesome that included Bill Cawthorne. They enjoyed one another’s company. Bob initially served in India with the RAF and he and Ken chatted with some amusement and amazement as Bob attempted to use his limited memory of the language. Ken was a gentleman and he will be missed.
Kathy Carter
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Gaughan (Marcheta) and the entire family.
I have many fond memories of Mr. Gaughan having had the good fortune of being his next door neighbour for nearly 50 years. He was a special person; so kind, gentle and loving.
I will also remember the many runs to the store and happy times he shared with my father just chatting with him outside on the driveway.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Gaughan family during this difficult time.
I will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace.
Love, Gayle
On behalf of North York Seniors, the transportation team would like to send our deepest condolences to Marcheta and her family. Ken was a humble soul who was a pleasant and loyal client who appreciated the service for many years. I had many nice conversations with him and Marcheta over the years. He will be missed, especially with our drivers.
From, Shannon,Kerry and the drivers at NYSC.
My deepest condolences to Marcheta and family. Ken will be greatly missed by many. His energy, kindness and joy were truly inspiring.
❤️Uncle Ken❤️
Of all the blessings
However great or small
To have you for an Uncle
Was the greatest one of all
The family chain is broken now
And nothing seems the same
But God takes us one by one
The chain will link again
All Our Love
Louella, Mark and Family
xxx
When I learned of Mr. Gaughan’s passing, my immediate memory was of his smile. I’ll remember him as a friendly, gentle person whose face always lit up when he saw us kids visiting our grandparents a few doors down from his own home. I endeavour to be more like Mr. Gaughan in my own life, a warm person who spreads happiness, infectious smile in tow.
Our love is with Ken’s family at this time. Sometimes in our lives we are fortunate to know someone like Ken who shows us the possibilities and the beauty of the human spirit. Ken, was truly an elegant man, enriching all of us who knew him. We will all miss him.
John & Karen
My uncle was the true gentleman.
His stories and rituals, evening tipple will be greatly missed.