ILWU Canada and the Van-Isle Pensioners honored brother Kenneth Arthur Gregory on Feb. 2 at one of his favorite places—the Cottonwood Golf Course in Cedar, B.C. The choice was especially fitting, as he had been a sportsman most of his life, starring in football, basketball, lacrosse and curling.

Ken was born Jan. 8, 1929 in Nanaimo, B.C. As a young man he wanted to see the world, so he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and saw many sights, including the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

After leaving the Navy, Ken worked many jobs before joining the ILWU where he was elected dispatcher for Local 508 in 1970. He was elected Second Vice President of the entire ILWU Canada later that year.

The members elected him Local 508 President in 1971 and 1972, and re-elected him to Second Vice President that same year. He participated in some tough bargaining during the 1972 contract and strike.

“Ken knew what path the union should follow to resolve issues when the employer had another resolve in mind,” said Local 500 retiree Frank Kennedy, who served with Ken as ILWU Canada Secretary-Treasurer.

Ken also served with the Nanaimo, Duncan, and District Labour Council as vice president.

“Whenever he was asked to do anything he would do it,” Van Isle Pensioners Club President Bill Duncan said. “He was a real help to me when I first became president of Local 508 and again when it came time for us to found the Van Isle Pensioners Club. He was always there for you.”

In 1978 the International Execu-tive Board named Ken an ILWU International Delegate. The delegations would visit workers around the world, representing the ILWU. In March, 1980, he went to China on a team chaired by Local 10’s Cleophas Williams. While in China, the entire Chinese labor delegation toasted Ken in honor of Canadian doctor Norman Bethune, a national hero in China for his service during the Japanese invasion.

Ken played on the 1956 Mann Cup championship lacrosse team. Lacrosse, Canada’s national summer sport, is derived from a game played by Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples. He also played football with the Youbou Dumbbells, a Vancouver Island championship team. Ken met and married Margaret Blackburn. They had 53 years together and three children, Robert, Patricia and Ken Jr.

After retirement in 1991, Ken remained active in pensioners’ clubs. He also spent some years traveling with his wife and family. He died Dec. 28, 2007.

—Tom Price