Kenneth ‘Ken’ Mason

I was blessed to have the best teachers in math, science and English at CECI. “Mr. Mason” was the great math teacher. He would say some of the craziest things in class. A good friend of mine would write these down and by end of year we had a full page of “Ken Quotes”. To this day, his quotes bring a smile to my face. Rest In Peace. My condolences to the family.

I remember when Ken lived in the basement at sterling st. Such a wonderful man and thoughtful to all. Our deepest sympathy for your family from the Burt family to yours

Our sympathy to you Maureen, and family, on Ken's passing. While we didn't know him well, we did enjoy our chats over the back fence.

The sad news in the London Free Press obituary this morning brought back so many memories - first days at Parkside 54 years ago and many days to follow. Dropping by the Dutton house on Boxing Day, sparring about the value of English versus Math and Physics, seeing his sons go to high school to pursue Student Council elections and careers that this genial math teacher would never have considered - but supported with love. His dazzling wit, his empathy, and his love for family will never be forgotten.

So very sorry to see this. About six years ago I spent a couple of evenings chatting with "Kenneth" at my desk. We spoke about his life and mine all the while I kept thinking what a handsome man he was and how he seemed so familiar . He spoke about his mother a great deal and how he liked to be called Kenneth not Ken. I eventually asked what he had done for a living and he told me that he had been a teacher , a math teacher and I asked in London and he said St Thomas. I looked at him , into his big blue eyes and I said PCI and he said yes. I said you were my math teacher and his eyes brightened right up. We spoke the next two nights about those days. Lol I told him about how I broke my tooth eating hard candy during his class and how horrified he looked when I spit my tooth out on the desk. He chuckled over that. Good memories. He was a very nice and gentle man indeed.

There I was, in the early ‘eighties, newly hired as the Visual Arts teacher at Central Elgin Collegiate. I was in awe and slightly afraid of this tall, intense, obviously very intelligent mathematics teacher, who was always in a suit, and a tie - which he flung over his shoulder when he ate his lunch. One day, Mr. Mason sat down opposite me in the lunch room, folded his arms, stared fixedly at me and declared “Art is inefficient.” I was gobsmacked, but I could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he wanted an argument. So he told me that Art wouldn’t feed the populace or find a cure for cancer; I told him that Science wouldn’t teach him about human nature or comfort his soul. And on we went. A colleague of ours - Boh Kinczyk - wrote a poem about Ken. It said simply: “Mason jars.” I missed him intensely when he retired, and news of his demise prompts the memory of many anecdotes. He was an intelligent, respected man and a kind human being. Rest In Peace, Mr. Ken Mason. I will never forget you.

It is very difficult to say farewell to a close friend (and best man at my wedding! ) that you have known for almost 60 years. We met as students at Western In the Radio Physics program and after graduation ( with our Master’s degrees in Physics ) and marriages, our families continued to meet often on various occasions for trips and get-togethers. It was a tragic day when Ken began showing signs of dementia and had to be moved to a facility in London for future care. Our lives changed forever that day. We will sadly miss his wit and humor and all the discussions both philosophical and real. So, farewell old friend, RIP.

Mr. Mason is at Central Elgin Collegiate Institutute, introducing a new member of the Mathematics Department to the staff. "Watch this," he says to the newbie, and in full-blown antic disposition he approaches me, stands close, and says "Shakespeare is a pig." I go nova. Ken knows that this meltdown will occur, and the new staff member shakes his head, wondering into what sort of madhouse he's been conscripted. Goodbye Ken. Sleep well in the rock of ages. I shall remember you always as a kind, ultra-intelligent man. I'll remember your splendid sense of mischief. My deepest condolences to Maureen, Kirt and Craig, and to your extended family.

Well, my memories of Ken are ancient….they go back decades and decades ago….to university days…..to Ken’s dating days with ‘Moe’….the early sixties of last century….our lives were just beginning! Ken, Lee, his brother, Bob Lee, a cousin and I made a rather different quartet….average height must have been 6’5”…..three slim/trim fellows and me. Ken was more interested in spending time with Moe than 10 pin bowling, golfing or playing bridge. I’m not sure about going to the the harness races though. (Bob was expert horse handicapper.) Of course, I was saddened when I read Ken’s name in the TJ obituaries but, after reading the obituary, I smiled. He was a lucky man and I’m sure he was a grateful man. “Major Math”…..enjoy the trip……