IN MEMORY OF KEN MARTIN
Ken Martin
1949 - 2022
To a lot of people, Ken was a fisherman, lovingly known as "The Captain". But to others, he was Ken the father, the husband, the friend.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Brian and Shirley (Leeman) Martin. He is survived by his loving wife Theresa (nee Scanlan), their three children Chris (Shaunna Wachter), Trevor (Val Noonan) and Katrina (Carson Fulde) and treasured grandchildren Deklen, Brett, Nate and Chase. He is also survived by his brother Bobby of Bella Bella and sister Patty (Chris Shea) and niece and nephew Christy and Jeff Shea.
Ken was a Bella Bella boy, born and raised. At 11 years of age, his family move to "the Highlands" of North Vancouver where he made a splash on the basketball court at Handsworth Secondary. Thanks to the advocacy of his beloved coach Jim Buchanan, Ken was honoured in 1967 as BC's best athlete and was awarded a full scholarship to SFU.
He gave it a go but those early years on the BC coast instilled in him a longing for a life on the water and he couldn't imagine making a living any other way. For the second time in his life, he was about to make a big splash. At 21, Ken introduced the first fibreglass brine packer ever built. He named her the "Northern Princess", built at Shearwater Marine (across the channel from Bella Bella). Ken went to work for Jack Elsey of Millbank Industries in 1970. It was the start of an outstanding career in the commercial fishing business.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old nurse from Toronto named Theresa Scanlan made the brave decision to begin her career at R.W. Large Memorial Hospital in Bella Bella. Ken took one look at her and knew he had found his true "Northern Princess". This was the start of a 49-year journey.
Ken's career highlighted his work ethic, his entrepreneurship, and his chameleon's ability to adapt to the ever-changing fishing industry. He started in salmon and herring packing. From there, he moved into management at the Pacific North Coast Native Co-op in Port Simpson. When it was time to try his hand at commercial fishing, he built a gillnet bow picker that was so well received, he built 40 more. He closed out his fishing career on his beloved "Miss Katrina" alongside his son Chris on the Shumahalt. He subsequently started a marine business (Pacific Surface Drives), selling and installing Arneson Drives. Ken had customers from as far away as New Zealand, Greece, Nova Scotia and the Pacific coast from California to Alaska. You'll find this type of propulsion system on patrol, whale-watching and fishing boats and pleasure craft.
Theresa was a Toronto girl, and Ken loved to complain about "those easterners". But truth be told, he knew he had won the in-law lottery. He loved to call them "his outlaws", warning "you don't just marry one, you marry the whole damn lot of them!" Theresa's parents Bern (J.B.) and Clare, her seven siblings and partners, grandparents, aunts, and uncles welcomed him into their large family and loved this West Coast fisherman like one of their own. Some of his happiest memories are the times he spent with this loving Irish clan.
Ken made meaningful connections throughout his life. He and Theresa were always happy to invite new friends into the fold while never letting go of the old ones. But it was their "friendship octet" that they treasured most. Bob and Diane Williams, Derek and Judy Stedman and Greg and Barb Harder attended their wedding and have been a big part of their lives ever since. What a gift to share their journey with this wonderful crew. Together they raised their families, shared vacations, and loved and supported each other for 50 years.
Whether at home or on the water, Ken's quick reply to any request was, "No problem!" One of his greatest joys was sharing his good fortune with one and all. The door was always open to their beautiful home on the Seymour River. Often, it was bursting at the seams with family, friends, the kids' friends, and visitors from near and far. That was the way Ken loved it.
He was a man with simple tastes who was easily pleased. A round of golf with his buddies, a dinner out with his wife, watching his daughter play basketball, his sons play baseball and football, and then doing it all again with his grandkids—this was all that Ken needed to feel fulfilled.
After 40-plus years of prominence in the BC fishing industry and living his best life, it ended abruptly when Ken was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Within six months, Ken faced the heartbreaking task of selling his boat, his business, and the family home. Through it all, he continued to manage his cruel reality with courage and dignity. He found a new more manageable home for him and Theresa at the end of Indian River Drive and, with a lot of help from A.J. Harwood, created a warm and welcoming new home. He was welcomed onto the badminton court at Parkgate where he found acceptance and friendship.
Ken journeyed through Alzheimer's like he did most things in his life: unpredictably, quickly, defiantly but always with grace and kindness. In his final years, he became far less inhibited about showing love for family and friends. He didn't shy away from shedding a tear when he was touched by the embrace of his love of 49 years, or a smile from his precious daughter Katrina or a hug from his sons Christopher and Trevor. He continued to light up when his grandsons entered the room. He never lost his sense of humour, his love for his family and most importantly, his joy in dancing.
Berkley Care Centre was his home away from home this past year. The angels at Berkely provided Ken and Theresa a level of care, kindness, and compassion that his family will never forget. They also appreciated Krista McPhail and her 4W team at Lions Gate Hospital. Dr. Mark Seger and Dr. Jeanette Evans played an important part in setting Ken on the right path. A special thank you to Dr. Paul Sugar for helping to navigate this final chapter.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dr. Paul Sugar Foundation (www.paulsugarfoundation.com).
May the Captain of the Northern Princess be granted smooth passage.
1949 - 2022
To a lot of people, Ken was a fisherman, lovingly known as "The Captain". But to others, he was Ken the father, the husband, the friend.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Brian and Shirley (Leeman) Martin. He is survived by his loving wife Theresa (nee Scanlan), their three children Chris (Shaunna Wachter), Trevor (Val Noonan) and Katrina (Carson Fulde) and treasured grandchildren Deklen, Brett, Nate and Chase. He is also survived by his brother Bobby of Bella Bella and sister Patty (Chris Shea) and niece and nephew Christy and Jeff Shea.
Ken was a Bella Bella boy, born and raised. At 11 years of age, his family move to "the Highlands" of North Vancouver where he made a splash on the basketball court at Handsworth Secondary. Thanks to the advocacy of his beloved coach Jim Buchanan, Ken was honoured in 1967 as BC's best athlete and was awarded a full scholarship to SFU.
He gave it a go but those early years on the BC coast instilled in him a longing for a life on the water and he couldn't imagine making a living any other way. For the second time in his life, he was about to make a big splash. At 21, Ken introduced the first fibreglass brine packer ever built. He named her the "Northern Princess", built at Shearwater Marine (across the channel from Bella Bella). Ken went to work for Jack Elsey of Millbank Industries in 1970. It was the start of an outstanding career in the commercial fishing business.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old nurse from Toronto named Theresa Scanlan made the brave decision to begin her career at R.W. Large Memorial Hospital in Bella Bella. Ken took one look at her and knew he had found his true "Northern Princess". This was the start of a 49-year journey.
Ken's career highlighted his work ethic, his entrepreneurship, and his chameleon's ability to adapt to the ever-changing fishing industry. He started in salmon and herring packing. From there, he moved into management at the Pacific North Coast Native Co-op in Port Simpson. When it was time to try his hand at commercial fishing, he built a gillnet bow picker that was so well received, he built 40 more. He closed out his fishing career on his beloved "Miss Katrina" alongside his son Chris on the Shumahalt. He subsequently started a marine business (Pacific Surface Drives), selling and installing Arneson Drives. Ken had customers from as far away as New Zealand, Greece, Nova Scotia and the Pacific coast from California to Alaska. You'll find this type of propulsion system on patrol, whale-watching and fishing boats and pleasure craft.
Theresa was a Toronto girl, and Ken loved to complain about "those easterners". But truth be told, he knew he had won the in-law lottery. He loved to call them "his outlaws", warning "you don't just marry one, you marry the whole damn lot of them!" Theresa's parents Bern (J.B.) and Clare, her seven siblings and partners, grandparents, aunts, and uncles welcomed him into their large family and loved this West Coast fisherman like one of their own. Some of his happiest memories are the times he spent with this loving Irish clan.
Ken made meaningful connections throughout his life. He and Theresa were always happy to invite new friends into the fold while never letting go of the old ones. But it was their "friendship octet" that they treasured most. Bob and Diane Williams, Derek and Judy Stedman and Greg and Barb Harder attended their wedding and have been a big part of their lives ever since. What a gift to share their journey with this wonderful crew. Together they raised their families, shared vacations, and loved and supported each other for 50 years.
Whether at home or on the water, Ken's quick reply to any request was, "No problem!" One of his greatest joys was sharing his good fortune with one and all. The door was always open to their beautiful home on the Seymour River. Often, it was bursting at the seams with family, friends, the kids' friends, and visitors from near and far. That was the way Ken loved it.
He was a man with simple tastes who was easily pleased. A round of golf with his buddies, a dinner out with his wife, watching his daughter play basketball, his sons play baseball and football, and then doing it all again with his grandkids—this was all that Ken needed to feel fulfilled.
After 40-plus years of prominence in the BC fishing industry and living his best life, it ended abruptly when Ken was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Within six months, Ken faced the heartbreaking task of selling his boat, his business, and the family home. Through it all, he continued to manage his cruel reality with courage and dignity. He found a new more manageable home for him and Theresa at the end of Indian River Drive and, with a lot of help from A.J. Harwood, created a warm and welcoming new home. He was welcomed onto the badminton court at Parkgate where he found acceptance and friendship.
Ken journeyed through Alzheimer's like he did most things in his life: unpredictably, quickly, defiantly but always with grace and kindness. In his final years, he became far less inhibited about showing love for family and friends. He didn't shy away from shedding a tear when he was touched by the embrace of his love of 49 years, or a smile from his precious daughter Katrina or a hug from his sons Christopher and Trevor. He continued to light up when his grandsons entered the room. He never lost his sense of humour, his love for his family and most importantly, his joy in dancing.
Berkley Care Centre was his home away from home this past year. The angels at Berkely provided Ken and Theresa a level of care, kindness, and compassion that his family will never forget. They also appreciated Krista McPhail and her 4W team at Lions Gate Hospital. Dr. Mark Seger and Dr. Jeanette Evans played an important part in setting Ken on the right path. A special thank you to Dr. Paul Sugar for helping to navigate this final chapter.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dr. Paul Sugar Foundation (www.paulsugarfoundation.com).
May the Captain of the Northern Princess be granted smooth passage.
