Monday, January 14, 2019
We were saddened to hear about the passing of our good friend Kenny. The flood of memories washed over us as we thought of all the years we spent together working in the carpentry shop. I still remember the day he began working with me. I was renting his father's double car garage as a workshop and Ken wandered in. I learned very quickly that he had tremendous artistic and hands-on skills, so eventually I hired him. He was a great kid to work with. What I remember was the beads of sweat that poured off his forehead as he put cabinets together. I remember joking to him, "Don't get any of the sweat on my nice work!" He was a quick learner and began to do jobs on his own. My children still, to this day, speak fondly of him for the classes he held for young kids to learn to build toys and chairs, etc. Some of which we still have to this day. The other memory I have of Ken is his absolute honesty. I used to have a stash of cash in the shop and it was up to Ken to keep track of his own hours and take from that stash what I owed him. I never kept track of it, but often I would find a note where I kept the stash, saying "Ben, I was broke and needed some money but I will work it off." Which he did faithfully. I trusted him completely. Another time, I had some fake $100.00 bills that I put on the table as a trick. Ken would walk in, see them there, and not even be tempted by them, but would walk right by. When he left me, for other employment, he was quite skilled at his trade and went to work for another cabinet maker. His work was exceptional, but the road called him, and he would be off traveling somewhere, once again. He was also an excellent knife maker and he crafted many beautiful knives with inlaid handles and brass accents, which he did in my shop. Every now and then Ken would re-appear in Saskatoon, and we would catch up on his life. He was a big part in the early success of my cabinet business. We will forever miss him, and be forever grateful for the 10 years we spent together. Memory Eternal Ken, and may God grant you rest where all is brightness and peace. With Love from Ben and Lois Machnee
