WILLIAM KENNETH PROUT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WILLIAM KENNETH PROUT It is with sadness that the family announces the death of William Kenneth Prout on Thursday, November 7, 2002 at Seven Oaks General Hospital. Kens memory will be cherished by his children and their partners, Annette (Roger), Rose (Tom), Ken (Linda), and Lawrence (Lisa) his 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; brother Clifford (Rose) Prout; sisters, Helen Banting and Emily (Syd) Watts; his nephews and nieces, and other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Jean; parents, Elliot and Sarah; brothers, George and Goldie Prout; and sisters, Nettie Shepherd and Margaret Triggs. Ken was born on October 27, 1911 at 911 Ashburn St., Winnipeg to Elliot Austin Prout and his wife Sarah Ann Bell. In 1915, the family moved to the Southfield District in southern Manitoba after his father left his position as Inspector, Winnipeg Electric Company (now Winnipeg Transit) to start a mixed farming operation near the village Pratt. Due to the tough economic times, Ken left the family farm to start working as a farm hand after completing grade 9 at Sydney Public School. He worked on various Manitoba farms in the late 1920s and throughout the Depression. During the winter, he found work as a lumberjack, primarily in northwest Ontario. In 1941, Ken met his future wife, Jean Drapak, at Louies coffee shop on Sargent Avenue in Winnipeg. Their love grew. On April 15, 1942 he and Jean were wed and the two of them enjoyed 54 years of married life together. In 1941, Ken enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a mechanic. For the duration of the Second World War, Ken and Jean lived on a number of Commonwealth Flight Training Stations in Manitoba (Souris, Rivers, Gimli). In 1951 Ken was transferred to 418 Squadron in Edmonton. Subsequently, he was posted to Langar, England and Zweibrucken, Germany from 1953 to 1954. Upon his return to Canada, he became the chief mechanic at RCAF base Macdonald, Manitoba. When the base was de-commissioned in 1959, Kens final posting was to 435 Squadron in Winnipeg where he retired from the air force in 1961 with the rank of Flight Sergeant. From 1961 until 1976 Ken was the manager of the Auto Club service station on the air force base. Upon his retirement from the Auto Club in 1976, Ken received the meritorious award for outstanding service from the base commander. Ken and Jean had a long and happy marriage together. They enjoyed bowling, dancing, bridge and whist. In his later life, tending his vegetable and flower gardens gave Ken great pleasure. The greatest joy for Ken, however, was watching his children and grandchildren grow up. He was always proud of them and with his gentle demeanour and words he nurtured them with unconditional love and wisdom. Ken was a religious person who always tried to see the best in others. He respected everyone regardless of his or her faith, colour, or background. As a practicing Roman Catholic, he joined the Knights of Columbus in 1947, receiving an Honorary Life Membership for his many years of community service. For the past 24 years he was a parishioner of St. Peters Roman Catholic Church. Ken contributed to the community at large as well. In 1986 he received the Good Neighbour Award from Willow Park Housing Co-op in recognition of his kindness and caring to his fellow residents, especially the neighbourhood children. To the children he was affectionately known as Grandpa. Ken was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He was a loving, kind, and very patient person. Family and friends would often ask Ken for his advice on issues and his wisdom would help clarify the matter. The family would like to express their appreciation to the many health-care professionals who took care of our father, especially Dr. Les Ullyot, Dr. Ramesh Mehta, and the staff in 5U7 at Seven Oaks General Hospital who provided outstanding care and compassion for Dad during the past two months. In addition, they would like to thank the residents of Willow Park Housing Co-op, Amber Meadow Seniors Residence, the parishioners of St. Peters Church, and other untold individuals for their friendship. It gave Dad great pleasure to have been your friend. Finally, and most importantly, we would like to thank God for having blessed us with this extraordinary person. Dad lived a long and happy life and his love made all of us better for it. At Dads request, cremation has taken place. Prayers are to be said on Monday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, 748 Keewatin St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 12 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peters Church. Interment to follow in Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation, 2300 McPhillips St. would be appreciated. Footprints One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, youd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I dont understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied. "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." -Margaret Fishback Powers NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2002