It is with great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of husband, father, friend and teammate, Ken Westaway. Ken passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Health Sciences North Sudbury on Friday April 3, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Margaret (Peggy), children Bruce (M’Liz), children Charlie and Ailish; Michelle Ostafin (Richard), daughters Claire and Rose; and Ian (Heather), sons Connor and Parker. Predeceased by his parents Ross and Charlie, and sister Mary (Dirk) Vanderzwaag.
Born Aug 14th, 1938, in Hamilton, Ontario. As a child, Ken spent his summers at the family cottage in Burlington beach. His wife and children also came to love the cottage and spent many happy days there. A summer marina job in Pointe au Baril was a teenage highlight and contributed to his interest in, and later love of, the North and its natural beauty. He took immense pleasure in having his grandchildren visit at the house on the lake. Ken had great fun wrestling and playing with the grandchildren in younger years and later had conversations about topics of shared interest with each of them. It is during these times family enjoyed his story telling abilities and sense of humour.
At University he began dating Peggy, his lifelong partner who supported him through his extensive education. He studied Chemistry while also playing for the Varsity hockey team. He went on to graduate with a doctorate in Organic Chemistry from the affectionately named MixMaster University and then on to post doctorate work at the University of Pennsylvania.
By 1968 Ken was married to Peggy, had Bruce in tow, Michelle on the way and received an offer from a new University in Sudbury, Ontario for which he had a 24-hour deadline to respond to. He accepted and later reflected numerous times that the decision was one of the best of his life. His career at Laurentian was long and fruitful. He was noted as a top researcher, receiving research grants through the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council for many years. He also served as Chair of the Chemistry Department and his interest, and support of the scientific journey led to involvement with the Science Fair program where he was a lead for Sudbury for over 50 years and participated in bringing the National Science Fair to Sudbury in 1978 and 1992.
Over the years there were two sabbaticals – Uppsala Sweden, and one with the whole family at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, highlighted by a summerlong cross-country family camping trip across the Northwestern USA and Canadian West. It was difficult for him to retire at the age of 65, but he maintained an office as Professor Emeritus where he continued his lab work and chapter writing until he approached 80. Ken was known as a demanding but effective teacher, who was adamant his students learn the course material, but always willing and available to help and support his students.
In his free time, he participated in many sports, playing fastball, softball, broomball, golf, curling, biking to work, and of course hockey where he played with the Nooners. As he eased away from Chemistry, he found even more opportunities to pursue hockey and golf. He was a marshal at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club where he became known for his witticisms in the start hut. He graduated from the Nooners to the Walden Pensioners where he became President and played until age 84. He continued his on-ice career at public skating at Countryside arena where he found a new circle of friends. He skated up until his last week.
In recent years, Ken became a dedicated caregiver to his wife Peggy, working to help her through her struggles with Alzheimer’s. He was very grateful for friends, new and old, who supported him and kept him going with their time and friendship. We want to thank friends who helped him with trips to Finlandia to visit Mom, day to day household tasks, drives to doctors’ appointments, lunches and dinners on the town and the all-important trips to Countryside arena to further hone his skating skills. Thank you to the community who supported him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Laurentian University in the Fraser building on June 13th, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Food, drinks, and Pepsi for all! In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer Society.