Kenneth Reading

          Ken Reading passed away peacefully at Sakura House on March 23, 2025, in his 77th year.  Ken was born to Earl and June Reading and grew up in Etonia, Ontario.  He shared 53 years with his wife and partner Kathy (nee Marriage).  Ken was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  Father to Karen (deceased), (Shaun), Mark (Desiree), and extremely proud Grandpa to Megan and Lauren Nevett. 

          Ken grew up with a love for all things mechanical.  He loved tinkering with and modifying anything with an engine.  This led to stock car racing where Ken helped found the Southern Ontario Sprints.  The current SOS president:…. “Without the efforts of this quiet, humble man it is questionable if 360 sprint car racing would even exist in Ontario”. 

          Not satisfied with modifying and racing cars, he moved on to tractor pulling.   He teamed up with his mechanically gifted brother-in-law Paul Masson to bring the infamous Masson - Reading Pulling Team into existence.   Ken took his love for tinkering and turned it into a career as a self-employed electrical contractor that lasted many years. 

          Ken was a longtime member of the Oxford Fish and Game Club.  He served loyally as president, safety officer, in addition to a host of various positions at the club.  Ken could always be counted on to lend a hand or to share an off-colour joke.  He was a deeply respected member of the club.  Ken and Kathy were recently honoured by having the Action Range at the club dedicated to them. 

          Ken loved his motorcycle.  He and Kathy travelled all over the continent with a tight-knit group of fellow enthusiasts.  The rumble of the engines, and the rumble of Ken’s laughter, sustained them all through many adventures.  Ken’s love of nature and the North were apparent to all when they visited his hunt camp in Thessalon.  Like all things, Ken built his hunt camp with his hands, and the help of his good friend Ed and family.  Ken has been travelling up north his whole life, having deep roots in Parry Sound where he spent both his childhood and adult summers at the family cottage on Mill Lake.  He was an avid huntsman and fisherman.  Not only did he enjoy being one with the land, he enjoyed sharing his knowledge and inspired many young men and women to take up the sports. 

          He will be sadly missed by his family - Jo (deceased), (Paul) (deceased), Bill (Mary), Paula (Alf), Kelly (Dave), Terri, and many nieces and nephews who loved him.  The Marriage family - Arthur (Anne), Murray (Anna), and Barb (Ron) will deeply miss Ken. 

          A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday April 13, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Oxford Centre Hall, 505386 Old Stage Road, Woodstock Ontario N4S 7V8.  Casual attire, camouflage, Maple Leaf, and jeans would absolutely be the appropriate apparel for this Celebration.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Sakura House, Oxford Fish and Game, or the Canadian Cancer Society are appreciated. 

Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Ave., Woodstock, Ontario have been entrusted with Final Arrangements.  Remembrance messages may be shared at here at wareingcremation.ca