Peers, Henry Kenneth (Died)

PEERS, Henry Kenneth - Passed away on November 9, 2008 at Caressant Care Nursing Home in Woodstock. Ken was a lifelong resident of East Oxford Township and lived on the family farm until recently. He was predeceased by his father Henry Clair Peers and his mother Lillian Margaret Clarke. He was the beloved husband of Vina Rosalind Mighton (1993), loving father of his son David Kenneth Peers and his wife Cheryl Neale of London, and his daughter Nancy Mary Peers of Pleasantville, Nova Scotia and grandfather to Sam and Susan. Ken farmed all his life and in later years raised Canadienne cattle as part of a rare breed programme. He bred Springer Spaniels and many family pets across Ontario came from his farm. He was active in reforestation projects and was one of the founding members and chair of the Men of the Trees, a group dedicated to reforestation projects throughout Oxford County. He also served as Oxford County’s representative to the Grand River Conservation Authority, a posting he enjoyed tremendously. Ken was active in municipal politics. After serving for a number of years as an East Oxford Township councilor he authored the political restructuring of Oxford County. Later he was mayor of Norwich Township and became Warden of Oxford County in 1977-78. He was active in the Oxford Liberal Party for many years. After the devastating Woodstock tornado in 1979 Ken chaired the Disaster Relief Fund and helped raise and disburse private and governmental donations. To the best of his ability he ensured all victims were fairly compensated so they could pick up their lives and continue. During his life Ken served as chair of the Board of Trust of the Woodstock General Hospital and chair of the Board of Directors of the Otter Dorchester Insurance Company, now the North Waterloo Farmers Mutual. Ken was keenly interested in local history and was the past Chair of the Oxford Museum. He is an honourary member of the Oxford Historical Society and an honourary member and a former President of the Victoria Club. He wrote the History of East Oxford Township as his centennial project in 1967. He was an elder for 31 years at Knox Presbyterian Church in Woodstock and is a present member of the Norwich Presbyterian Church. In his spare time he coached softball teams at Oxford Centre, was an active member in local farm, coin and hunt clubs and was an knowledgeable and enthusiastic collector of coins, native artifacts and antiques. In the end he missed his home and his dog. Ken had been slowed in later years by a number of medical ailments and was unable to enjoy his walks, his cows and his trees. Now he can. Friends may call at the Longworth Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock, 519-539-0004 on Wednesdaym November 12, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., where the funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Allan Dowber officiating. Interment in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations can be made to the Grand River Conservation Authority and to the Woodstock General Hospital Foundation. Online condolences at www.longworthfuneralhome.com