Cornelis Pieter (Ken) de Rooy passed away in Vernon on April 1, 2017 at the age of 66.
A viewing will be held at the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 4303 P.V. Road, Vernon, BC on April 7, 2017 between the hours of 4 - 6PM. The funeral service will be held at East Hill Community Church, 3605 - 12 Street, Vernon, BC on April 8, 2017 at 12:00 noon followed by internment and lunch.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Janice Juell, his best friend and partner on his many adventures, his children Ashlee (David), Peter, Courtnay, and Stephanie, their mother Leslee, stepchildren Ashley and Theoren, siblings Kay, Johan, Barb, Geraldine, and Yolanda, and 15 nieces and nephews. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Gerrit (Peter) and Katy de Rooy.
Ken was born in The Netherlands, immigrated to the Lower Mainland of BC with his parents in 1952. He attended UBC completing his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1974 and also completed an MBA from McMaster University in 1980.
Ken had an entrepreneurial spirit and ultimately settled in Vernon owning and operating A-1 Machine & Welding for 26 years and was an active member with SICA, BCCA and CCA. Ken was also an active member of his East Hill Community Church and Christian school community too, and for many years gave them generously of his time. A highlight for Ken for over 20 years was enjoying spending time at his cabin on Lake Okanagan, creatively expanding it every year, while boating, and entertaining guests with good food, wine and his own “mini Bellagio” style water fountain show.
Anyone who knew Ken also knew he had a lifelong love affair with Porsches and was able to drive / race various models throughout his life. In 1975, he was a founding member of the Canada West Porsche Club. Ken’s love of cars and speed also resulted in his involvement, along with Janice, in building and racing dwarf cars, and chasing Formula 1 races around the world. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Upper Room Mission and BC Cancer Society. To celebrate his memory and love of cars he had asked that the ‘mini vans’ be left at home and to bring out the ‘fancy cars’ for those attending his memorial service.
“He remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.” — 2 Timothy 2:13b.