October 27, 1940 - February 14, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the life of Kenneth Franklin Cebuliak who sadly passed away from complications with a long, and brave, battle with illness on February 14th, 2024, in Vernon. Ken was the devoted, loving, and proud husband to Margaret; caring, supportive, and compassionate father to Cheryl (Rodger), Michael (Michelle) and Paula; and he was a playful, comforting and affirming presence to both grandsons, Trevor and Caleb.
Ken was born on October 27th, 1940, in Smoky Lake Alberta, to his now-deceased parents Mary and Franklin Cebuliak; both of whom he admired for their devotion to personal values and beliefs. He shared many fond memories and spoke often of the love for his eldest, deceased, sister Evelyn (Ernie, deceased), surviving brother Leonard and youngest sister Francis (Bill). Ken enjoyed numerous family get-togethers with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ken acknowledged that he led a charmed life having experienced delivering magazines as a boy in Vernon, serving and training as an instrument mechanic with the Royal Canadian Air Force near Red Deer (where he met his beloved wife), working on the boom in Prince Rupert, teaching high school in Terrace and Merritt, returning to instrumentation within the mines near Logan Lake and then finally settling, once again, in Vernon where he worked for the city, primarily, in process control instrumentation for the spray irrigation program. While working Ken often found comfort in the church, its community, and the principles wherein its members operated. Throughout his travels, he shared the stories and lives of the many friends he met along the way and there is no doubt that he felt blessed by their acquaintance.
Ken was a family man and remained steadfast and loyal to his wife and children, always working within their interests and appreciative of their love. He was a man of principles and a concerned advocate for social justice and responsible stewardship of the earth. He was a lover of lakes, friend of the forest, kindred soul with the crickets, and admirer of all God's creatures. Nature was often his sanctuary; backyard gardening was a life-long passion and refuge; wherein such experiences, his facial expressions were testimony to his gratitude.
He loved hearing about the experiences of all peoples and sought understanding and kinship through both our universal struggles and our mutual admiration for all that is beautiful, just and noble. He greatly admired our collective humanity as illustrated within books, poems, visual arts and music and when confronted by any such language, he respected the letter but revered the spirit.
Although Ken, like the rest of us, had insecurities and doubts, he always sought to diligently work through adversity, guided by principles, as he understood such efforts to be a path to his better self and a means to inner peace and collective belonging.
Ken will be so greatly missed
as he was so greatly loved.
Peace be with you.
A service will be held on May 19th, at St. John's Lutheran Church, in Vernon, at 2 pm.