Obituary of Kenneth Kernaghan

KERNAGHAN, Kenneth December 18, 1940 – September 14, 2015 Ken Kernaghan died peacefully at the age of 74 at the Welland County General Hospital. Ken is survived by his wife, Helgi; his sisters, Joyce Klyn (Wim) and Sandra Burnip (Stan); his sister-in-law, Liivi Moyer; his sons, Kevin (Kelly), Scott and Kris (Lisa); and his grandchildren, Matthew, Laura, Evan and Drew. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Margaret Kernaghan and Helgi’s parents, Richard and Marianne Kond. Ken was born in Hamilton, Ontario and graduated from McMaster University, where he was President of the Student Council, and Duke University, where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science. He was a professor at Brock University for 39 years, retiring in 2007. On September 7, 2015, Ken and Helgi celebrated 52 years of marriage. Together, they built a loving and supportive home for their three sons in Fenwick, Ontario. Ken was always generous with his love and his time and will be forever loved by his family. Ken took a special interest in the athletic, academic and vocational pursuits of his grandchildren. He also enjoyed the fellowship offered by the congregation at the Fenwick United Church. Ken was a renowned scholar in the field of public administration. In 1996, he received the (Governor General) Vanier Gold Medal for Excellence in Public Administration. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1997, and he received the Brock University Faculty of Social Science Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004. In 2008, he was named a member of the Order of Canada “for his contributions to public administration as one of Canada's foremost scholars in the areas of ethics and accountability for more than 30 years." When Ken was inducted to McMaster University’s Alumni Gallery in 1997, he expressed that he would like to be remembered for "...above all being a devoted husband and father, secondarily being an excellent teacher and researcher." Ken’s commitment to both his family and his profession has ensured that legacy. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Walker Family Cancer Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario. http://onefoundationfornhs.com/Areas-of-Need/Regional-Programs/Walker-Family-Cancer-Centre.aspx A private family funeral will be held at Tallman Funeral Homes in Vineland.