Tribute

 Ken was born, raised, lived, worked and played in the Cowichan Valley his entire life. He was born to Jean and Tony Hillyard on December 10th, 1945 in Kings Daughters Hospital. He died on September 19th, 2023 after a long difficult struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Left to forever miss him is his wife Eileen. They were a couple for over 60 years. Together they worked hard but happily to create their little corner of paradise on Telegraph Road. They spent 44 years on the farm, raising their boys, growing fruits and vegetables as well as a few cattle, pigs and chickens. It was such a good life. Ken is survived by his sons who inherited the very best of him: Stuart (Stu), wife Kimberly Fox and their daughter Amanda. Matthew (Matt), wife Danya and their daughter Zoë. Ken’s granddaughters intrigued him to no end. After raising boys he found these little girls fascinating and delightful. He loved them! Ken is predeceased by his parents Jean and Tony Hillyard and also by his sister Marie Kerrone. He is survived by Marie’s husband Jim, their children Kath Beaveridge, Linda Wallace, Steven Kerrone and their families. He is also survived by his brother in law Frank Braten (Marilyn) and family, and by his sister in law Sylvia Grafton (Brian) and their family. Nothing gave Ken more joy than playing sports. As a boy and young man he loved baseball, fastball, basketball, waterskiing and soccer to name a few. Then he discovered skiing. Winter holidays to Whistler with the Graftons became greatly anticipated events. Ken was a devoted Dad to his boys and loved playing with them. Summers on the beach at Parksville, playing in the warm shallow water left them all tired, sunburned and covered in sand but very very happy! The Hillyard and Grafton families built a cabin in Honeymoon Bay on Cowichan Lake. Aptly named the “Honeymoon Hil’ton”. Friends and family were always welcome. Seasons of fun and laughter were shared over dinners, bonfires and gatherings on the deck. There were countless hours of canoeing, windsurfing, waterskiing, and swimming. We played hard and it made Ken a happy man! Ken became a B.C. Land Surveyor in the early 70’s and with his partners established a successful Survey business. He enjoyed going to work every morning, but as the years rolled by he wanted more time with his boys. They were growing up too quickly. So he “ retired “ to play full time. In his early 50’s Ken rediscovered the joy and frustration of golf, and he played enthusiastically with his Mt. Brenton group until Parkinson’s reared its ugly head. He dealt with this awful disease by ignoring it. He endured the indignities it thrust upon him with dignity and quiet courage. Through it all he never complained or lost his wonderful sense of humour. At some point Ken’s remains will be placed at the top of Mt. Prevost where he can watch over the valley that he loved. Think of him when you look up and see it …. shrouded in cloud in the spring, green in the summer, orange and yellow in autumn, and dusted with snow in winter.