Obituary of Ken Kornaga

Ken Kornaga

It is with sadness, we share the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother,uncle, cousin, and friend, Kenneth John Kornaga on Thursday March 14, 2024. Ken dearly loved and cherished his wife and family;he was so proud of them and all of their accomplishments.

Ken was best known for his giggle and laugh, it was contagious and could be heard at a distance, sometimes that giggle would come out at inappropriate times. Ken had a very kind and caring personality, children were drawn to him as he always tried to make time to play, listen or even just sit and watch sports or a special show on tv. He always showed interest in any activity, dance or sport the grandchildren were involved in.

Ken enjoyed visiting family and friends always joking while playing cards, laughing and reminiscing about the “good times”. Ken loved his sports whether playing or watching. He always held out hope for the Toronto Maple Leafs and would cheer for them relentlessly. Ken was involved in many sports himself. He spoke of playing hockey with the Glen Bain Helicopters and other rec teams. He enjoyed the family curling team as well as curling with friends. He played baseball with the Glen Bain Tramps and later years played slow pitch. Fun times. Good memories. He may have been a little competitive but always fought for fairness one way or another. Ken’s grandchildren loved to hear grandpa’s stories, especially the ones that may have gotten him into trouble.

The family had cattle up until the early 2000’s, but farming was truly his way of life and he loved it. Taking care of the land was so important to him. Harvest was his favorite time of the year. There were lean and bountiful years, but over time things became easier with newer and more efficient equipment. The kids always came home to help, especially with seeding and harvest and continued to do so with their families. Grandpa would never turn down a combine ride. He was always so proud of what we had accomplished and worked so hard for.

Ken loved traveling with the family to various destinations to the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada and the USA. Even with the ambulance rides, sting ray incident, or armed soldier interrogations, etc, etc. It was all part of the great adventure. For his 60th Birthday, a special trip was made to LA to watch his Toronto Maple Leafs play for the first time live, and to Ontario to visit family and see his first Blue Jay game.

Ken was no stranger to hard work from a young age working on the farm with his father and brothers a mile west of Glen Bain. He started out working elevator crews and loading grain ships at the port of Churchill. After he married, he farmed during the summer and during winters worked at a ranch in Tompkins and Frontier as well as oil rigs and others to get through high interest rates and droughts of the 1980’s. Ken drove Glen Bain fuel truck for many years along with other part time work. He was a Glen Bain CO-OP board member for 30 years until he was no longer able to physically contributed. Also, an active member of the Glen Bain Lions club for almost 20 years, always willing to help anyone wherever or whomever when needed.

Ken is predeceased by his father Joseph Kornaga and mother, Evelyn Kornaga, and his brother Stanely who died at birth (1952). Ken will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 45+ years, Judy, son Clinton Kornaga (Katrina) Emily & Grace, son Justin Kornaga (Amanda) Joe & Heath, daughter Kendal Wallace (Gord)Gavin & Kenzie. Siblings Edward, Fred and Shirly (Robert Laverdiere), and all the rest of the families and friends in Ken’s life.