Obituary for Kenneth George Milburn
MILBURN, Kenneth George
It is with great sadness that long time companion, Eleanor Piotrowski, announces the passing of Kenneth George Milburn the morning of Sunday, October 11, 2020 at the age of 77 at Shoreview Retirement Home, Windsor ON.
Ken was born on April 24, 1943 in Chatham, Ontario to parents, Wanda (Harding) and Kenneth Milburn. Ken spoke avidly of growing up in Chatham with his sister Fran (Frances (Milburn) Dungey) and twin brother Len (Leonard G. Milburn) and of childhood summer adventures in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts with his Aunt Beulah.
Ken graduated from the University of Windsor with a B.Sc. in 1967 and the following year studied at Queens University, Kingston. He then began his career in real estate, becoming a Windsor-Essex Broker. In 1970, Ken started Crescent Realty and then Gem Mortgage and Loan. As one of few black realtors at the time, Ken continued to provide exemplary real estate service to the Windsor-Essex community for over forty years.
In 1970’s, Ken met Beverley Jean O’Halloran (Bev) and they were married in Windsor in 1976. Bev passed away in 1990.
Ken enjoyed tennis and golf and was a Detroit Tigers and Red Wings fan, attending many games each season with friends and clients. He supported several community activities and participated in the BIG BROTHER organization, helping many fatherless young men through their youth.
In 2001, Ken met his partner, Eleanor, and they shared their mutual passions for cooking and travel. His love for Eleanor remained the focus of his attention.
As author of ‘Windsor to the Smithsonian’, Ken chronicled the journey of a pair of Joe Louis’ boxing gloves from Louis’ 1936 bout with Max Schmeling. After the match, Louis gave the gloves to Ken’s Aunt and Uncle Cuzzens, who passed them on to Ken. Subsequently, Ken donated the gloves to the Smithsonian in a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. in August of 2007.
Having a discerning palate, Ken enjoyed cooking and took various classes with local chefs at St. Clair College. His interest in the foods of diverse cultures melded well with one of Ken’s greatest passions, traveling. Ken travelled extensively on six of the planet’s seven continents. Only one of his many voyages of discovery included a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, in mid-winter, passing through two continents, seven time zones and multiple cultures.
Ken lived a full and happy life and is loved and remembered by many, including: his partner, Eleanor Piotrowski, Lakeshore, ON and her siblings, his sister, Frances (Milburn) Dungey, her husband, Robert C.R. Dungey, Toronto, ON, nephews, David Dungey, B.C., grand nephew, Aydan Dungey, B.C., nephew Robert C.A. Dungey, London, England, sister-in-law, Laureen Patricia Milburn, Clarkson, MI, niece, Beth Milburn Kafkakis, her husband, Jim Kafkakis, and son, Dominick, of Howell, MI, nephew, Todd Milburn, Detroit MI, and Aunt Margaret (Polly) of Phoenix, Arizona along with many cousins and their families in Windsor, Chatham, Toronto, Michigan and other States, as well as good friends, Don Kreibich, Windsor ON, Al Dube, Windsor ON, Charlie Basden and his son Adam Basden, Lakeshore, ON.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Wanda (1995) and Kenneth Milburn (2014) and his brother, Leonard G. Milburn (2016).
He remains in our hearts.
Cremation to take place. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Families First, South Windsor. Share memories, video condolences or photos at donation at www.FamiliesFirst.ca
It is with great sadness that long time companion, Eleanor Piotrowski, announces the passing of Kenneth George Milburn the morning of Sunday, October 11, 2020 at the age of 77 at Shoreview Retirement Home, Windsor ON.
Ken was born on April 24, 1943 in Chatham, Ontario to parents, Wanda (Harding) and Kenneth Milburn. Ken spoke avidly of growing up in Chatham with his sister Fran (Frances (Milburn) Dungey) and twin brother Len (Leonard G. Milburn) and of childhood summer adventures in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts with his Aunt Beulah.
Ken graduated from the University of Windsor with a B.Sc. in 1967 and the following year studied at Queens University, Kingston. He then began his career in real estate, becoming a Windsor-Essex Broker. In 1970, Ken started Crescent Realty and then Gem Mortgage and Loan. As one of few black realtors at the time, Ken continued to provide exemplary real estate service to the Windsor-Essex community for over forty years.
In 1970’s, Ken met Beverley Jean O’Halloran (Bev) and they were married in Windsor in 1976. Bev passed away in 1990.
Ken enjoyed tennis and golf and was a Detroit Tigers and Red Wings fan, attending many games each season with friends and clients. He supported several community activities and participated in the BIG BROTHER organization, helping many fatherless young men through their youth.
In 2001, Ken met his partner, Eleanor, and they shared their mutual passions for cooking and travel. His love for Eleanor remained the focus of his attention.
As author of ‘Windsor to the Smithsonian’, Ken chronicled the journey of a pair of Joe Louis’ boxing gloves from Louis’ 1936 bout with Max Schmeling. After the match, Louis gave the gloves to Ken’s Aunt and Uncle Cuzzens, who passed them on to Ken. Subsequently, Ken donated the gloves to the Smithsonian in a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. in August of 2007.
Having a discerning palate, Ken enjoyed cooking and took various classes with local chefs at St. Clair College. His interest in the foods of diverse cultures melded well with one of Ken’s greatest passions, traveling. Ken travelled extensively on six of the planet’s seven continents. Only one of his many voyages of discovery included a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, in mid-winter, passing through two continents, seven time zones and multiple cultures.
Ken lived a full and happy life and is loved and remembered by many, including: his partner, Eleanor Piotrowski, Lakeshore, ON and her siblings, his sister, Frances (Milburn) Dungey, her husband, Robert C.R. Dungey, Toronto, ON, nephews, David Dungey, B.C., grand nephew, Aydan Dungey, B.C., nephew Robert C.A. Dungey, London, England, sister-in-law, Laureen Patricia Milburn, Clarkson, MI, niece, Beth Milburn Kafkakis, her husband, Jim Kafkakis, and son, Dominick, of Howell, MI, nephew, Todd Milburn, Detroit MI, and Aunt Margaret (Polly) of Phoenix, Arizona along with many cousins and their families in Windsor, Chatham, Toronto, Michigan and other States, as well as good friends, Don Kreibich, Windsor ON, Al Dube, Windsor ON, Charlie Basden and his son Adam Basden, Lakeshore, ON.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Wanda (1995) and Kenneth Milburn (2014) and his brother, Leonard G. Milburn (2016).
He remains in our hearts.
Cremation to take place. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Families First, South Windsor. Share memories, video condolences or photos at donation at www.FamiliesFirst.ca