A well-known Owen Sound community member has passed away.
Ken Thomson passed away March 1st at the age of 85.
He was head of the English department at the former West Hill Secondary School in Owen Sound.
His obituary from the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home says, “He introduced and taught new curriculum, directed and produced school plays, and taught in an innovative way – striding from desktop to desktop to punctuate a Shakespearean soliloquy, admonishing students to ‘substantiate their allegations’ when developing an argument and daily challenging everyone to use a new word — from a list he regularly updated. Have you used the word ‘implacable’ lately?”
Thomson was a member of Owen Sound City Council and chaired the Grey-Owen Sound Children’s Aid Society.
He helped found the Billy Bishop Heritage which raised the funds to purchase the home that is now the Billy Bishop Home and Museum. Thomson also chaired the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, and sat on the board of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.
He was heavily involved in the local effort to provide affordable housing in Owen Sound and Grey County, chairing the Board of Owen Sound Non-Profit Housing for 32 years.
His obituary says, “He believed that a house gave a person or a family a sense of place, as well as a sense of pride. With this firm foundation, they could build a rewarding life.”
A memorial service is planned for Thomson on Saturday, May 7th, 1:00 pm at the Historic Leith Church followed by a reception on the church grounds.
His obituary says, “In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Ken’s name.”
