BURNABY—Longtime CUPE member and CUPE BC executive board member Ken
Davidson passed away this morning at his home in Gibsons.
“This is a huge loss for Ken’s family, CUPE Local 1004, CUPE’s Metro District Council, CUPE BC and CUPE National, as well as for all his friends and colleagues,” said CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill. “His commitment to the values of the trade union movement was unparalleled; Ken really did ‘walk the walk’ and made a huge contribution to our union, and to his adopted hometown of Vancouver.”
CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hancock also extended his condolences to Ken’s family.
“Ken and I were elected to the CUPE BC executive board at the same time, and I always respected and enjoyed his contributions to our debates and initiatives,” said Hancock. “On behalf of all 85,000 members of CUPE in BC, and on behalf of the executive board, I want to thank Ken’s family for ‘lending’ him to us. And I want to thank Ken, who truly was a brother to so many of us in the labour movement.”
Brother Davidson’s family provided the following obituary.
Kenneth Gordon Davidson Oct 23 1955 Feb 14 2013.
After a lengthy illness Ken passed away at home surrounded by love and laughter. He is survived by his partner Barrie, her family and his bulldog Winston. His family of origin is in Woodstock, Ontario and California. Ken hitchhiked to B.C. when he was 16. After various jobs around Vancouver he was hired by the City in 1980. One of his first Union experiences was the Strike of ‘81, when Metro Vancouver was shut down for 12 weeks. Ken was a committed Trade Unionist. He has held various positions on CUPE 1004 executive including President. He was the President of CUPE Metro Council, GVP for CUPE BC and sat on the Vancouver District Labour Council for many years.
Ken’s passions were the labour movement, politics and Barrie. He lived life on his terms and went out the same way. He worked tirelessly for his members and for social justice. He cared deeply for the poor and disenfranchised everywhere in the world. To his last breath he never gave up trying to create a better world for his family and fellow man. He has left us with great memories of his sense of humour, his tolerance, generosity and simple human kindness. We wish to thank his many friends for their love and loyalty over the years and for the good times spent together. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Co Development of Canada at #260 2747 East Hastings St. Vancouver BC V5K 1Z8.
Courage, my friends; tis not too late to build a better world – Tommy Douglas.
