Ken Bocking

Dad, Husband, Engineer, Mentor, Swimmer, Sailor, Drummer

Kenneth (Ken) Bocking, died in Oakville on April 10, 2026 at the age of 73. Born September 30, 1952 to Lesley and Joyce Bocking in Saskatoon, Ken was known to friends, family, and coworkers by his kindness, patience, and unbreakable calm.

Ken was a very loving dad and husband. He and Kathy would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary this year. His children, David and Grace, were the light of his life and he was so proud of them both. He shared his love of engineering and sailing with David, and his love of music - especially jazz - with both of them. He loved hearing Grace sing, and introduced her to many artists that she continues to enjoy.

Ken loved drumming, taking care of the pool in the summer, and falling asleep on Sunday mornings while reading the paper with a cat on his lap. He was a cat lover, and will be missed by Georgie and Abbey. Ken had a great sense of humour; films by the Coen brothers and Christopher Guest were among his favourites.

Swimming was one of Ken's favourite pastimes, and he swam five times a week at the YMCA. When the Y had a relay challenge to “swim” Lake Ontario, he realized that he could cover a far greater distance—enough to span Canada from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, Newfoundland, one kilometre at a time. In August 2024, he marked that milestone. One of his goals was to swim in every ocean and sea, and he swam in many of them around the world. On a recent trip to Antarctica, he even jumped into the Antarctic Ocean.

As with swimming, Ken sailed from childhood. In his twenties he bought a wooden Fireball dinghy in Saskatoon. It traveled with him to Victoria, where he sailed the waters off the coast of British Columbia, then back to Saskatoon for a few years, and eventually to Lake Ontario. Ken taught his son David to sail from a young age in the same Fireball at the Mississauga Sailing Club.

Ken loved to travel, and with work and vacations had been to over 34 countries. He and Kathy enjoyed active vacations, and they recently visited the Amazon and Antarctica together. Ken had the opportunity through work to move with his family to Australia for two years. Living in Brisbane from 2007 - 2009, they enjoyed trips to the outback and the great barrier reef, among many other places.

Ken was still actively working with WSP (Golder Associates) and was in his 43rd year at the firm. One of his distinct pleasures was the opportunity to be a mentor and friend to several generations of engineers and others at the firm. He worked hard to approach all situations with kindness and respect.

Ken is preceded by his parents, and is survived by his wife Kathy, his children David and Grace, his siblings David (Anne), Cathy (Yves), Keith (Noreen) , Joanne (Brian), and Norma (Brian), many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 19th, from 1100 – 1500 at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville. Those wishing to attend may do so at their convenience at any time during these hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be sent to any of:

Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital

Oakville YMCA

STEM Education charities