Harold Kenneth "Ken" Canning

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Ken passed away in the early hours of March 7, 2026, to join his beloved wife of 69 years, Barbara, who he had missed terribly since her passing in 2022.

Harold Kenneth Canning was born January 18, 1929, in Hartney, Manitoba. He spent his early years there before moving to Winnipeg, where he attended school and later began his career with CP Rail. Friends and family filled his early years and it’s there he met Barbara. Over time their friendship and their love for one another continued to grow. They were married in 1953 and for the next 69 years, they lived a life of love and togetherness.

Ken had a 36 year long career with CP Rail that saw him being transferred several times between Winnipeg and Calgary. In 1964 they moved to the acreage near Cochrane where they settled, raised their 5 children and resided there for 55 years. For many years Ken and the family raised Saler cattle, a source of pride for everyone. They enjoyed the rural life and the great sense of community with the lifelong friends and neighbours they had met through out that time. In 2018, they knew it was time and with sadness they left the acreage and moved into the town of Cochrane, so they could remain close to family and friends.

Following Ken’s retirement, he and Barbara enjoyed many years travelling to warmer climates in the winter such as Barbados and Mesa, AZ. In Mesa they made many friends and were active in many clubs at Venture Out. Ken was happy to have his sister Vivian next door and his cousin Clayton and Mona around the corner. With an almost daily Happy Hour, there was plenty of time for conversation, laughs and exaggerated stories. Throughout the years, there was also time for many trips to Australia to visit son Ross and his family.

Ken was happiest when he was working on a project around the acreage. This could be anything from his working on his tractors and farming equipment for his custom contract haying business, to tinkering and driving his Model Ts. Of course, all visitors were required to have a quick ride in one of the Model Ts. Being one who enjoyed repairing things, Ken always had some tools handy. Even when he moved into Cochrane and his final days at Bethany, he needed to have a few tools close at hand.

Throughout his life, Ken gave freely of his time to his family and community. Over the years he volunteered his time in many ways. Some of these were being a Cub Leader, 4H Leader, Baseball coach, Bearspaw Fair director, audio/visual assistant at Venture Out RV Park in Mesa, and a longtime member of the Foothills Model T club.

Ken’s last few years were spent at Bethany Care Cochrane where he kept everyone smiling, and on their toes. The family appreciates the compassionate care he received there, however, throughout those years, he longed for the love of his life Barbara. Ken is now resting peacefully, and we know they are dancing or going for a drive together once again.

Left to mourn his passing are his children, Sheila (Ted) French of Cochrane, Murray (Rhoda) Canning of Oak Lake, MB, Ruth Leman of Cochrane, Grant (Mary) Canning of Calgary and Ross (Rita) Canning of Myamyn, Victoria, Australia. As well there are 7 grandchildren, Trevor, Alanah, Stephen, Ruby, Jacob, Layton and Jacqui and several great grandchildren. Missing him as well are his sister Vivian Evans of Minnesota and sisters-in-law Linda Hyslop (Jake Wiebe) Keewatin, ON, Bernice Vale, Ajax, ON and many nieces and nephews.

We love you and miss you. Cheerio Dad.

Memorial services will be held Monday April 27th at 11:00am at St Andrews United Church 128 1st Street East, Cochrane. To honour Ken’s final request there will be one last ride in a Model T. In lieu of flowers and in Ken’s memory, donations can be sent to MS Canada.