KENNETH (WILLIAM) GOSSELIN

It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth Gosselin announces his passing, at the age of 85, on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont. after a brief illness.
Ken was born March 1, 1930 in Fort Frances, Ont. to Alfred and Elizabeth Gosselin.
In the early years, Ken and his family lived at Rocky Inlet. Ken and his siblings were schooled on the travelling train that stopped on the rail spur every few weeks when it passed through.
He used to jump the train and catch it into town and back via the tracks across the lake through what is now the 5-Mile area—long before the construction of the Noden Causeway.
Ken worked at Herrem’s Woodworking as a young man, where he made his own pair of wooden skis which we proudly cherish. He started working in the mill at the young age of 18.
Prior to his retirement at age 60 (1990), after 42 years of proud service, he was Lead Digester Operator (cook).
Not only did Ken work in the mill, he ventured out on his own, hauling pulp, gravel, and even working for George Armstrong Co. on several projects. One of these projects was the highway section from Emo through to Nestor Falls.
Ken also ran his own sawmill located on his property on Rainy Lake. He started his own business, K.W.G. Sand and Gravel, and proudly ran it with his son, Kim, for more than 20 years.
When Dad was 22, he married the love of his life, Elsie Miller, and they were together almost 62 years. They lived in Fort Frances on Phair Avenue for a number of years before moving to Shortreed Road, where they resided for more than 50 years.
Ken and Elsie had one son, Kim. Ken was very proud of his grandchildren, Trace and Kennedi, never missing any activity they participated in.
Trace and Kennedi grew up sitting in the backhoe in a special seat he installed (trainer seat) so as to have them learn how to use it.
He loved having his family next door as he was able to stay in his own home until his passing. Family lunches with his brothers and sisters meant everything to him.
Ken was a very hard worker and did not wait for help; he just got to work. He built his own house, installing the electrical, plumbing, doing the finishing, and cement work.
Ken was very creative with plans for jobs; he had the talent to create a project in his head and transition it to the real world. He loved to tinker, garden, woodwork, and especially work in his shop.
Although he slowed down in the past few years, Ken still worked hard at home, clearing the snow with the backhoe, cutting grass on the riding lawnmower, and supervising jobs that needed to be done.
Ken enjoyed stopping for a coffee in the mornings with his many friends at Tim Hortons, McDonald’s, and even A&W.
Ken was predeceased by his wife, Elsie; parents, Alfred and Elizabeth; parents-in-law, Joe and Mary Miller; sister, Laura McConnell; and siblings-in-law, Charlie Miller, Joe Miller, Jack Miller, Bill Miller, Arnie Miller, Dorothy Crawford, Claire Brennard, Mary Faulkner, and Ruth Miller.
Ken leaves behind his son, Kim, and wife Jo-Ann; grandchildren, Trace and Kennedi; siblings, Fred (Evie) Gosselin, Bob (Pat) Gosselin, Keith (Joanne) Gosselin, Joyce (Jim) Crowley, and Elaine Bone.
Also surviving are his siblings-in-law, Rose (Albert) Payne, John Miller, Jean McHugh, and Ed (Leigh) Miller; special friends, Pat and Donna Dittaro and their children, Jade (Jeff) and Cody; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation was held Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Parish prayers were offered at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral mass was held Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Victor De Gagné officiated, with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers were Brad Miller, Rick Faulkner, Warren Gosselin, Carey Gosselin, Brian Hall, and Mike Brennard.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneral homefortfrances.com