Sep 20, 1930 - Dec 20, 2017
Ken was born in Victoria, B.C., to Captain Frederick James Douglas Warren and Violet Evelyn Warren.
Coming from a large family, Ken and his brothers as young men took over their Dad's Tug Boat business known as The Warren Tug Company.
Ken started his career on a steamship and received his 150 ton Master's ticket at the age of 21 then upgraded to 250 tons, then 350 tons. Following in his Father's footsteps, Ken had a lifetime love and respect for the ocean and fittingly became a Deep Sea Water Captain.
Ken had many amazing stories to share of life at sea such as the time there was a terrible storm and there was a sail-rigged Navy lifeboat with five people on board. They had gone out to try to meet their ship but due to the severity of the storm, ran into trouble off Brotchie Ledge. A CN steamship tried to help but they were too high out of the water to do anything. They tried to rescue the kids by rope but they would just drop back off into the water. Ken and his older brother received a radio call while working in Victoria harbour asking for their help. Without hesitation, off they went. As soon as they had cleared Ogden Point, the first wave took out their wheel house windows but this did not detour Ken and his brother. By the time they arrived, the sailors were in pretty rough shape but they were able to bring them to safety and even salvaged the lifeboat.
This is just one of many rescue stories that Ken had endured in his life. After many years of the tug boat business, the brothers decided to venture out on their own at which time Ken and his wife Irene, with daughter Karen, moved up north to the Burns Lake area (later followed by sons Geoff, Mike and daughter Colleen).
Ken took a position on the Francois Lake Ferry, soon becoming Captain. Ken and Irene built a home on Takysie Lake where many years of precious memories were formed with family and friends, especially time spent on the Takysie Lake Princess built and designed by Ken himself.
When Ken retired from the Ferry at age 65, he was not ready to give up marine life. Nine months later, Ken was approached by Aurora Marine Services in Kitimat and was asked to help them out for a 'few days' aboard a landing craft, the Redonda. (a vessel that was commissioned for World War II).
They needed help operating the transport barge until they found someone else .... For the next twelve years Ken travelled back and forth from Takysie Lake to Kitimat working on the Redonda until it was no longer in service. Ken was then forced to retire at the age of 78.
Ken was a very intelligent, brave man who lived a very interesting life full of family and love. Ken was a loving husband, father and friend who will greatly be missed.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Irene, sister Lynn, sons Geoff (Nancy) Mike (Gail), daughters Jennifer (Bill), Carol (Tony), Colleen (Gerald), Karen (Terry) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Many thanks to Dr. Greg Norman who not only was a wonderful Doctor to Ken, but who Ken had the utmost respect for and considered him to be a friend.
Trees of Mystery "The Redwoods"
This the temple, vaulted high.
And here we pause with reverent eye.
With silent tongue awe struck soul;
For here we sense life's proper goal.
To be like these, true and fine.
To make our world like theirs, a shrine.
Sink down. Oh Traveller, on your knees.
God stands before you in these trees