1966-2025
Surrounded by love, Ken passed away with family and friends by his side on April 18, 2025 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.
Ken was born August 23, 1966 in Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his mother Margaret and his father David, and is survived by his stepfather Art Schamp. He leaves to mourn his wife Pamela Davis (Burch), daughters Alex and Makeda, and sister Kimberley, along with her children Maryanne and David. He also leaves behind many extended family members and friends who were like family to him.
Growing up in Carberry, Ken was very involved in sports, including street hockey, ice hockey (he played goal), baseball, and football in high school as quarterback in his final season. He enjoyed a couple of summers in Maryfield, SK helping his Aunty Nora and Uncle Dave on their family farm where, according to Nora, “He learned to drive the tractor and cultivator, and milk cows. He played ball with the men’s team and may have found his way into the Elkhorn bar.”
Ken’s life was forever altered a month before his 17th birthday when a car accident broke his neck. After six months in the rehab hospital at HSC Ken started his new life as a quadriplegic. With much support from the town of Carberry, he moved back into his parents’ home until he was 18. Pam remembers him being loaded by friends into the back of a pickup truck and being brought to a party.
Once he turned 18, Ken moved into 1010 Sinclair which is housing for persons with physical disabilities. This is where he learned how to be a manager of his own personal care and how to develop a new life for himself. He made some really good friends both in the rehab hospital and at 1010, and he decided to go to the University of Winnipeg to get a Bachelor of Arts in history and philosophy. Sadly, Ken’s Dad was in a fatal car accident less than two years after Ken’s accident. Ken did what he could to support his Mom and his sister during this difficult time, while dealing with his own health issues. He did enjoy travelling and made various trips with girlfriends and caregivers all over western Canada and the US, plus he spent a year touring Australia, which was a real highlight.
Ken and Pam started dating in September of ‘94, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They travelled to Mexico on three different occasions, plus several Caribbean countries. They travelled to Kenya and Tanzania for a month and Ken proposed to Pam on the beach in Mombasa in February of ‘96. They got married in August ‘96 on the Burch Family farm and continued to enjoy travelling throughout western Canada and more Caribbean locations. They enjoyed going to plays at MTC, Fringe Festival, rock concerts, comedians, street parties, patios and get-togethers with friends and family. Ken wrote many magazine articles at this time and was published in Canada, the US and British magazines with satirical stories about living with a disability. He was also the editor for ParaTracks magazine in Winnipeg for a couple of years.
In 2002, Ken and Pam made the decision to adopt internationally and after completing all paperwork and home studies, they were informed that baby Alex from St Vincent would be their bundle of joy. They went to meet her in St. Vincent when she was eight months old and fell in love instantly. They were able to spend two beautiful weeks with her before heading home to wait for all the extra paper work to be finished and they went back to St Vincent in February to retrieve her. This time they were escorted by a camera crew from Adoption Stories to record their adventure.
Ken was a very involved parent and loved every minute with his girls. Makeda arrived from Ethiopia in 2006 at the age of nine months while Ken was in the hospital with a bad case of pneumonia. As a result she spent her first three nights with both parents at the Grace. Ken carried them around on his wheelchair, helped to feed them, get them out of their crib, played games and drew pictures with them. As his health slowly deteriorated over the years, forcing him to spend more time in hospitals and in bed at home, the girls got great cuddles and movie time with Ken, and learned to navigate the many corridors of HSC.
He was incredibly proud of his girls and their many accomplishments in academics, track, gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance. He even took a daddy daughter dance class with Alex. He read books with the girls and helped them with their homework, continuing to be a sounding board even throughout university.
He truly appreciated his friends, family, and caregivers who were a constant part of his life. Many of them have been with him for years and enjoyed his discussions on politics, movies, sports, and current affairs. He read the paper every day and enjoyed the insights of many comedians. The Winnipeg Free Press will be down on their count of letters to the editor. He supported many charities both at home and abroad, and he championed the rights of the underdog. He was generous to a fault and many friends and family have benefited from that generosity.
We will miss his unconditional love, insights, wit, and laughter. He has been our rock and our soul and he will never be forgotten. Until we meet again.
A service to celebrate Ken’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 29th at 2:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB. In Ken’s memory, donations may be made to Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba Inc. 211-825 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5.
Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences on Ken’s memorial page using the comment field below.
I was and am blessed to have Ken, Pam, Alex and Makeda in my life. Ken and I were born cousins , a union that developed into a friendship in adulthood , that I sorely miss. He and Pam were my confidants in the latest personal and family happenings, he was an advisor, secret keeper, source of strength, source of constructive criticism (not always delivered gently) always with the best intentions. I could go on and on about what a good friend his was. He also was a loving, caring, generous, and kind husband. The role I felt he really excelled at was a Dad. He was so tremendously proud of his girls, as is Pam. In my eyes he did more for his girls, than most able bodied parents. He was a smart man and he made sure the girls attended the best school, had the opportunity to take extra circular activities like track and gymnastics. Ken and Pam gave the girls the world of opportunities . More importantly their unconditional love and support in all aspects of their lives. Ken was bottom line a “good man” and I already miss him more than words can ever say. I only hope I can offer half the support to Pam, Alex and Makeda as he gave me. Love you Cuz
Thank you Sheila. He truly was a good man.❤️
I worked with Ken on Queen street . He was great to talk and hang out with . He also introduced me to international coffee creamer back in ‘94 . The little things we remember from people who touched our lives hopefully will bring some peace to his family and friends . ✌🏻
Always admired for your resilience and strength, rest in peace Ken. Pam and family, wishing you much strength as you navigate life after such a significant loss.
Rest In Peace Ken. I hope you are your healed and happy self. It’s sad we have to say goodbye but you are safe in a better place. Enjoy your mom and dad.
Hard to know where to begin …
Ken was such an extraordinary guy who clearly decided early on not to let his physical limitations stop him from living his best life.
I was fortunate enough to work with Ken (and the family) for years, years that changed me forever. Two things that stand out for me: the first being Ken’s deep respect & love for Pam, and “the girls”. I came into their lives when Makeda was a toddler. I witnessed Ken interacting with Alex and Makeda in such a gentle and respectful way, he truly was a remarkable and caring father in every way. The other amazing thing I recall is that he had a gift to describe in words what he needed help with, either if it was in assisting with his care or setting up a technical device that he may not even be looking at. It was amazing to me how he could very ably tell me what to do to get something done.
Ken was humbly intelligent, kind, witty, fun, thoughtful. I’m so thankful that our paths have crossed, and feel like I will know Pam and “the girls” for life.
Rest in peace Ken, I will not forget the impact that knowing you made in my life. Pam, Alex, and Makeda (and family) – take comfort, and peace knowing that your husband, father, family member is no longer in any pain or distress.
It is better to have loved, than not at all. We are all “richer” for the love and kindnesses that we have shared 💕
Thanks to each of you that shared a story, as a simple cousin to Kenny I loved the insight to your relationships and experiences with him. My thoughts and my heart are with each person who’s lives Kenny touched. I really loved his sense of humor and it’s left an indelible mark on my life that I both appreciate and cherish. Hugs and love to his family and loved ones.
My friendship with Ken began when I was working as a personal care attendant on Queen Street 35 years ago. His wit, charm and twisted sense of humour is what drew me in. Little did I know, back then, we would become life-long friends.
I remember when he bumped into Pam in Winnipeg for the first time since high school back in Carberry. He was smitten! Their relationship blossomed and soon were married. It was a beautiful wedding and I was so happy for them! Then they went and got Alex; a few years later Makeda came along. I had the great fortune of working with him through these momentous events in his life. In Pam’s life. He was such an amazing and attentive father. Always there for them, telling them bedtime stories every night. Ken was such a good writer, published in magazines, I can only imagine the stories he would make up every night for his girls!
No matter where I was living in Canada throughout those 35 years, no matter what was going on in Ken’s life, in my life, he always made time for me when I came back to Winnipeg. We would “catch up”, tell funny stories and just “be”. My genuine and unique friend. I truly miss you.