Wilson, Kenneth Reid 'Ken'
Kenneth Reid Wilson passed peacefully at home on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the age of 78.
Born in Milton on December 26, 1947, Ken was the oldest son of the late Ernest Reid and F. Margaret (nee Brown) Wilson. Ken was a devoted family man whose greatest joy was being with the people he loved. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 55 years, Wilma; his three daughters, Kristy (Milan) Mitrović, Loree (Chris) Saunders, and Lindsay (Chad) Pink; and his five grandchildren, Alexander, Hailey, Adam, Everett, and Finley, who affectionately called him “Beepa”.
Ken will also be dearly missed by his siblings, Doug (Brenda) Wilson and Stan (Charlene) Wilson; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim (Kathy) Powell and Donna (Ron) Coulson; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will remember him fondly.
Ken’s life was rooted in the things he cherished most: family, helping others and tackling DIY projects. Throughout his career, he took great pride in serving and working alongside the Georgian Bay Fruit Growers, often speaking of how fortunate he felt to be a part of the apple industry. He deeply loved the place he called home, and believed it was a wonderful place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
His legacy lives on in the love, generosity, and values he passed on to those around him. Deeply loved by family and friends, Ken will be remembered with gratitude, affection, and countless cherished memories.
A funeral service celebrating Ken’s life will be conducted at Knox Presbyterian Church in Meaford on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11 o’clock, with visiting the hour prior to service. Family and friends will gather for refreshments following the service. A private service of inurnment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery.
As your expression of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
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Make a donation in memory of Kenneth Reid 'Ken' Wilson
Donations: Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choiceDonate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Sending sincerest condolences to your family and loved ones. May memories of time spent together bring you comfort.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
A wonderful man. I remember him of course through the orchard, when he would drop by and check out the crop.
Always time to talk, your memories will go on.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Wilma. We are so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. I have a lot of fond memories of him and his brothers. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love
Cathy, Peter and family.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Wilma and family
I am so sorry to hear of the sadness and loss that you’re going through with Kens passing. My thoughts prayers and true condolences to all of you
Lynne Whitton
Saturday, August 8, 2026
To Wilma and family,
So sorry to hear of Ken`s passing. He was a great supporter of our business ventures and a great friend. We will miss him.
Marg and Don Sheridan
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Our condolences to Wilma and families
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Please accept our sincere condolences. Ken will be sorely missed.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Wilma and family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs!
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Condolences to the Wilson family in the loss of Ken. Listening to him talk, you knew he loved his job of working with the apple growers. Cherish the memories.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Wilma, Kristy, Loree , Lindsay and families. We are so very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. May your memories help you through this difficult time. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Was shocked and saddened to hear of Ken’s passing . My kids had to read me his hot line report (the Wilson report )at breakfast before getting on the bus for school which they can still do today. His guidance through the years of change in an Apple grower’s life was always present.
A stand up guy .
Sorry for your loss.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Wilma and family: So sorry for your loss, thinking about you at this sad and difficult time
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Dear Wilma and families,
I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Maureen Pyper
Co-worker to Wilma at Meaford Hospital for 7 years. Sending love.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
May time help you get through this sad time Wilma. My condolences to you and your family.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Sincere condolences to the Wilson family on your loss.
Linda Hutchinson
Monday, August 10, 2026
Our Deepest Sympathies to Lindsay, Chad & the Wilson family during this difficult time.
Cherish your memories. Keeping you in our thoughts & prayers.
Bud & Eleanor Nelson
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Wilma and family, so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. We will be thinking of you.
Reg and Jan Noble
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Our deepest condolences Loree and family. There are no words to make the pain easier right now, but it does lessen with time.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Our deepest condolences to Wilma and families. Had a lot of respect for Ken especially with his guidance and knowledge with the apple business. Sadden to hear of his passing. Ed &Carol Farrar
Sunday, August 9, 2026
I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. My heart aches for you and your family during this incredibly difficult time. Sending hugs your way.
Monday, August 10, 2026
Wilma and family sending my heartfelt condolences….Hugs
Monday, August 10, 2026
I am sure the apple crop in heaven will be well tended now. Ken was the one goverment employed person I respected he was a true friend and help to all of us in the Beaver valley and all over the fruit industry, my sincere condolences to the family.
Monday, August 10, 2026
Thinking of you Wilma at this difficult time. Sending my condolences to you and your family.
Monday, August 10, 2026
Lindsay , Chad and Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Thinking of you
Wayne and Penny
Monday, August 10, 2026
Sincerest condolences to Wilma and the family. You guys already know that the help, courtesy, guidance and encouragement Ken gave to his classmates, colleagues, friends and apple growers are beyond words. Ken provided all four of these to me, and for that I am fortunate and a better person. Having worked with the next Wilson generation, I’m so happy to confirm that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Ken’s practicality, common sense and dedication were, simply put, a joy. And his wry sense of humor accentuated this even further. James Hindle said it so well: the apple crop in heaven is in excellent hands.
Monday, August 10, 2026
Wilma and Family
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Ken. I have never forgotten how kind you both were to my family when my father passed. You were the first to show up at my parents door with a big tray of sandwiches which was so gratefully received. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Anita Cornfield (Brndjar)
Monday, August 10, 2026
I had the good fortune to work with Ken for several years. Ken could brighten a room – a very cheerful and positive person.
My sincere condolences to Ken’s family and friends. I know that he’ll be missed.
Monday, August 10, 2026
Wilma, Lindsay and family, Ken will be missed by many friends.
He was a great asset to the local fruit and vegetable industry and we welcomed his expertise in our farm operation.
Rob G
Monday, August 10, 2026
Ken was such a passionate advocate for the Ontario apple industry and in particular his Georgian Bay growers who he loved. Always looking for ways to help solve growers problems. I remember him doing his Masters thesis on “vole control” at Guelph because that was a big issue at the time.
Best to Wilma and family- so many share your loss.
Monday, August 10, 2026
Dear Wilma and family. I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s death. Cherish your memories.
We will be thinking of you.
David and Muriel Hindle
Monday, August 10, 2026
Lindsay and family – I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you
Monday, August 10, 2026
Wilma and all the Wilson family.
Please accept our condolences on the loss of a FINE MAN.
We had the privilege of working with Ken for many years in the apple industry.
Ken was always very knowledgeable and helpful with all our endeavours.
He will be missed by all those who new him.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Sorry for your loss what a great gentleman. Knew him from Glen Huron Apples and the Bay Growers.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
All my condolences to you Wilma and your family. So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Was hoping to meet him again at a class reunion. Take care.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Wilma and Family, please accept our condolences on the passing of Ken. We will miss him for sure. The townline just won’t be the same
Colin and Sharon Dinsmore and Family
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Dear Wilma and Wilson family,
We were very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing.
Ken was such a valuable part of the apple-growing community in our area, and I feel very fortunate to have known him. Over the years, he taught me many valuable skills and was always incredibly generous in sharing his immense knowledge of IPM and apple growing. I learned a great deal from him and always appreciated his willingness to take the time to explain things and pass along what he knew.
It was truly a pleasure to know Ken.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Lovely to hear so much praise for uncle Ken. He was very special
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Uncle Ken was one of the good ones! Taught me how to lift weights in his basement, and how to do up a belt properly 😉 He’s left a great family legacy who will always cherish him.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Wilma, Kristy, Loree, Lindsay and families
I was so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. I have fond memories of him from the Markdale OMAFRA office…at one point ‘his’ office was made a “satellite” of ours…something that he could never quite support but we enjoyed him coming to meetings and events. He always had a big smile and added some liveliness to our meetings…especially if the topic turned to apples. I learning a lot about the industry from him and appreciated his knowledge. I still have memories being on a bus tour and him bouncing an apple on the floor…an hardware apple he called it. My sympathy to all you at this time and hope you will remember the good times you had with him
Denise Edwards
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Dear Wilma and family, so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. I hope years of wonderful memories will help you through this time. Thinking of you. Big hugs. Take care.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Wilma and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Praying and thinking of you all at this time.
Wendi Ramage
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Kind condolences to Ken’s family and friends. Many years ago, I enjoyed being a work colleague of Ken’s. I was always impressed with his awareness and knowledge of the Ontario apple industry. His support for and commitment to the local growers was never in doubt,. Both the growers and the local industry did well because of his contributions. He will be missed by many.