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After a valiant battle with leukemia, Dr. Kenneth L. Bridge passed away peacefully on November 12, 2020 surrounded by his family.
Ken will be dearly missed by his children; Robyn Bridge (Brandon), Gordon “Sandy” Bridge (Sasha), Brian Bridge (Christine), Becca Farrell (Thomas) and his beloved partner, Bev Ponton. Grandpa Ken will also be missed by his grandchildren, Everett, Arlo, Charlotte, Evelyn, Bennett, Joseph, Regan, Arden, Paige, Olivia, Chloe and Wyatt. Ken will also be missed by family members Kerri (Jason), Miranda (Brad) and Corinn (Jay).
Born on April 27, 1954 to the late Evelyn (Avery) and Gordon Bridge, Ken grew up on a farm on the Southline, just outside of Kincardine. He attended the University of Guelph where he obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Ken practiced veterinary medicine for more than 35 years, many of those years as the owner of the Ripley-Huron Veterinary Clinic, Lucknow Huron Veterinary Services and Huron Shores Veterinary Services. He could often be seen travelling the back roads in his blue chevy blazer wearing a Milk toque, blue overalls and a big black pair of rubber boots.
Ken was involved with many committees and clubs over the years; including but not limited to volunteering with the 4-H Vet Club, serving as the President of both the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and acting in leadership roles with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Company and Masonic Northern Light Lodge #93. Ken was a trailblazer in veterinary medicine and enjoyed spending many years on the family farm. Ken always considered his family to be the accomplishment he was most proud of. He was a famous tinkerer and loved exploring new pursuits from beekeeping to solar energy production and hiking through the bush. His stories were legendary and he was widely known for his generosity, modesty and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, Ken has requested that donations to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Grey-Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound or the Farley Foundation be made in his memory. At Ken’s request, there will be no funeral service. Rather, he has requested that his family and friends gather at a later date to reminisce and share stories. Details will be shared by the family when they become available. In the interim, the family would very much appreciate if you have any stories to share involving Ken to feel free to e-mail them to bridgekids54@gmail.com.
The family would like to thank Ken’s health team, Dr. Gunaratne, Dr. Sandhu, Dr. Michelles and Dr. Schimmer. Thank you to all family and friends for their support in this difficult time.
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Ken was a true gentleman that I enjoyed travelling with to a number of Masonic events. He was always thoughtful and provided an intelligent perspective to each situation. My sincere condolences are extended to Ken's family. He will be missed.
There isn't much we can say other than that we are sending you lots of love and all of our thoughts. We're so sorry for your loss, and we are here for you in any way we can be.
He helped me during my hour of need and I am forever grateful, but true to his nature, it was just part of the many things he did and accomplished.
His concern for everyone and his grasp of the intent of organizations was such that he clearly understood the concept of the common interest, as well as keeping the common and reasoned good as an important part of his vision and implementation.
There will be many organizations and individuals that will struggle for the words to honour this dear big-hearted man.
Rest in peace Ken, you have earned the respect of all your colleagues, friends, neighbours and the many beasts you have attended to in your lifetime.
Our Deepest Sympathy to Ken's Family on his passing he was a pretty talented man and always there to help or answer questions . We will keep you all in our thought and prayers sending hugs to you all at this difficult time . RIP DR BRIDGE!!!
My heart is broken to hear of your loss and of Ken's passing. I will miss our debates, philisophical ponderings and, of course, his stories. (a friend from the veterinary association)
I am a bovine veterinarian at Mitchell Veterinary Services. Please pass along our heartfelt condolensces to the Bridge family from all of us at the clinic. I admired Ken for his commitment to the various veterinary organizations he gave so much of his time. It was through this work that I got to know Ken as he provided the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP) with regular updates from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).
Dear Robyn, Sandy, Brian and Becca our deepest condolences. Your Dad was a true gentleman and a wonderful neighbour. I always learned something when he was here to the cattle and no question was too stupid. I had the pleasure of driving him in the Ripley Fall Fair parade a number of years ago and we spent more time talking than waving at the crowds. Oh the knowledge that man had. He gave us an extensive tour of his house one evening and the planning and thought that went into it, wow. He made the best strawberry pie too, right Brian!! He loved his children more than anything in the world. We look forward to sharing more stories with you and believe you me, we have stories. God bless him, he isn't suffering anymore. Helen
I was very saddened to hear of Ken's passing. He visited my practice in the early part of his career and we remained friends since that time. He could make an impression after only a few minutes of knowing him. Ken was that kind of a guy.
He was always welcoming, always interested in your opinion, always had time for a story and was always ready with a big smile and an even bigger laugh.
My condolences to his family. You have lost a dear family member. Our profession has lost a dear friend and a tremendous advocate.
HOw shocked and saddened I am to hear of Ken's passing. The world has lost a great person. I will always remember his sense of humor. He was a classmate and made the journey through OVC that much better. Heaven has acquired a real angel! My sympathies go out to all his family-I know he is sadly missed.
Sincerest sympathy to all of Ken's treasured family. He was a well liked and respected classmate and we are saddened at his passing. He was not always a man of many words, but with that impish grin and twinkle in his eye, what he did say was often profound and mattered. He contributed greatly to the veterinary profession in Ontario and made a large impact on the community. RIP dear friend, we will miss you greatly.
My thoughts are with all the Bridge family and South Line community. As you mourn your loss, may many happy memories take the edge from the sorrow. I think often of days gone by.
We are very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. He was a wonderful veterinarian and a great guy. The sincerest of condolences to his children, relatives and friends.
Ken was never short of an opinion on whatever topic you wanted to entertain and it was a pleasure to engage in conversations with him. He gave to much back to the veterinary profession. He will be missed.
Our deepest condolences to Robyn, Sandy, Brian, Becca and families and Bev on the loss of your much loved Dad, Grandpa and partner. May your many treasured memories bring you peace in the days ahead.
We send our sincere condolences to all of Ken`s family in the loss of a great man, friend and former neighbour. Gone too soon to enjoy his retirement and will be truly missed . Bob & June
Trudy and I would like to extend our sympathies to you on the loss of Ken. Ken was a great man and loved by many. It was my pleasure to work with him over the past 5 years at WWMIC. Ken dedicated a lot of time to WWMIC and we appreciate that. I learned a lot from Ken and developed a deep respect for him. I will also miss the many good times and laughter we had together. Rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences to Ken's family and his beloved friend Bev. Ken was my masonic brother and friend - we had many good times and many laughs together at Lodge and at our social gatherings. I will miss him.
I'm so sorry to hear about Ken's passing. He was a man of honour and integrity. I will miss chatting with him at Vet meetings. Please accept my deepest condolances.
Ken was a veterinarian with big boots and a man with a big heart. His presence in all our worlds will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to all his loved ones.
Our sincere condolenses to family on the passing of Ken. I was shocked to hear this. As a classmate and friend, he has done so much for veterinary medicine. I have know him as a neighbouring veterinary practitioner and also as through organized veterinary medicine as we both volunteered in that capacity. From Mary Lou and I , our sincerest condolenses..