Nagy, Kenneth
Kenneth Nagy (Ken)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth Nagy (Ken) in his
70th year. After a brief illness, Ken departed peacefully on July 22nd, choosing to lay
down his burdens. Weary from his journey, he now rests in eternal peace.
Ken was born in Toronto to the late John and Mary Nagy. A devoted family man, Ken
spent the last 38 years in Mississauga with his beloved wife of 47 years, Tara. He was
blessed with three children, Abrahm (Saeward), Joshua (Laura), and Erik (Michelle),
and cherished his grandchildren, Maxwell, Isabelle, William, Lillian, Ella, and Adam. Ken
took immense pride in his sons and daughters-in-law, and the many accomplishments
of his grandchildren brought him great joy. We will ensure that Grandpa’s memory
remains vibrant and cherished in their lives.
Ken was a brother to five siblings: the late John (Dianne), Elizabeth and her late
husband Peter, David (Janice), the late Bruce, and Paul (Rosemary), along with his
extended family Jan and Roseanne. Fun-loving Uncle Ken will be fondly remembered
by his many nieces and nephews.
Known affectionately as Marm by many of his longtime friends, Ken treasured
moments spent with them, whether listening to music or enjoying a round of golf. These
simple pleasures, along with many others, were integral to Ken’s vibrant spirit. He will
be deeply missed by friends, both old and new.
Ken began his distinguished career in 1972 with Hydro One. Throughout his tenure, he
held various positions, with his role as a forester sparking a lifelong passion for
gardening. Even after retiring in 2008, Ken remained active, continuing to learn, teach,
work in sales, and serve as an energy auditor.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff at Credit Valley
Hospital for their compassionate care during Ken’s treatment and final days in the
Intensive Care Unit.
An open house Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 28 from 2-5
pm at the Nagy home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ken’s name to a charity that
holds special meaning to you.
“Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.” — Hebrew Proverb
I am forever grateful for the 4 older brothers I was blessed with. They all took time to include me in their lives and Ken was no exception. Through Ken, I have enjoyed a life-long relationship with two more brothers in Michael Christiani and Chris Allicock.
And I think I can speak on behalf of my other brothers from other mothers, The Barnes Boys, that Ken treated all of my friends as his friends. Whenever Ken had the chance to hang with us younger guys, he always behaved as though he was just another guy in the group and not like the older brother that he was.
Ken was an open book. With Ken, what you saw was what you got. He was honest and true and I loved him for that.
I have told many people that I have never known a harder worker than The Marm. He got up early in the morning and was taking action on something before the rest of us had finished our coffee. Literally.
Like every older brother he had advice. Laziness is a disease, he told me when I was a young lad. Don’t let it creep into your life.
He believed that everyone should take responsibility for yourself and your life. Just like he told me, I’m sure his boys would have heard him say things like… “take your life into your own hands. Live it fully and don’t make any excuses. If something isn’t the way you want it, change it, but don’t make excuses about why you can’t or won’t.”
Ken was true to those words and was all business from the time he started his first paper route. I remember being absolutely amazed when he bought himself a watch from his earnings. I don’t think he was more than 11 or 12 years old.
Ken taught me the value of a dollar. Perhaps we all got a little too much of that from my parents, but that we did. He taught me his secret about finances which was “its not how much you earn, its how much you keep”. He was very frugal and scrutinized every expense. You all know that about Ken. But what was different with Ken is that he didn’t hide it or feel any shame about it. To him it was just the sensible thing to do and couldn’t understand why everyone wasn’t like that.
And he was focused. He was the epitome of plan the work and work the plan. He would move from task or chore to the next thing on his list without hesitation, completing each quickly and efficiently. I will always remember calling him mid morning to chat and he would say, yes, this is a good time to talk, I just finished my chores for the day! Which of course wasn’t true because he would create another list over lunch for his afternoon time.
I also admired Ken’s open-mindedness. Many wouldn’t think of Ken that way because he was strong in his convictions… but he did have an open mind and he did appreciate the differences in people. I was a little surprised when Ken started spending a lot of time at his local church. Although not a religious guy as a teen, in his adult life he embraced religion as a foundation for his family and community. Another example was in the music he liked. It was Ken who introduced me to the musical theatrics of the band, Genesis, the jazz-influenced, Chuck Mangione and later in life, the amazing voice of Bocelli. Those were big diversions from the typical rock music that he generally listened to and examples of his being open to new ideas.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Ken’s abilities as a husband and father. I always felt that Tara and Ken were the perfect couple. They were crazy in love from the first day they met and tirelessly supported each other each and every day. I was always amazed at how much they were on the same page.
And Ken was a people person. He had charisma and could quietly work a room as well as anyone. And when he got comfortable and around the people he loved, he became what I dubbed, “the court Jester”. At evening parties with the family, he WAS the entertainment. Teasing my Mom and getting her laughing, dancing with everyone or just by himself in the middle of the room!
He loved to entertain. His nieces and nephews, and probably his grandchildren too, will remember the stories he would tell at cottage gatherings. I think his favourite was the campfire story about “how the bear ate Uncle Martin”.
He wouldn’t have talked much about this, but he also liked to tease me. When we were vacationing with Rosemary and Tara and would meet people we didn’t know and he would be typically playful, chatty and youthful. More than once people thought that Ken, with his full head of hair, was my younger brother. He loved that!
I surely will miss the Marm. We enjoyed spending time together and his passing has left a big hole in my life and in my heart. My only comfort is in the knowledge that I believe Ken did live his life the way he wanted and had no regrets… except maybe to have had a little more time with us.
Tara and family,
Thinking of you during this most difficult time and sending love. My deepest condolences.
Ann Marie Hill
***************
“To the living, I am gone,
To the sorrowful, I will never return,
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot speak, but I can listen.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore gazing at a beautiful sea,
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity,
Remember me.
Remember me in your heart:
Your thoughts, and your memories,
Of the times we loved,
The times we cried,
The times we fought,
The times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never have gone.”
~Margaret Mead
Sincere condolences to Ken’s Family. I met Ken in the 1974 at Ontario Hydro’s training facility in Orangeville. He was a quite the character. He made us all laugh and quickly became a group favourite. Ken and I crossed paths several times over our career’s at work and forestry golf tournaments. He always talked about his wonderful family and how proud he was. Ken called me out of the blue a couple of years ago and we chatted for over an hour. He was truly a special person. The wonderful memories he has left his family and friends will always be special and never forgotten.
My deepest condolences. I grew up on Leda and Mrs Nagy taught me in pre-school. Ken allowed me to complete my community service to graduate high school by mowing the church lawn down the street. He was a great guy and was always a good neighbour. Rest in peace Ken.
I was very sad to hear of Ken’s passing. I have fond memories of the gang at Musselman’s Lake. We all performed at the annual corn roasts and I remember he sang Doe, a deer…..such fun!
Heartfelt condolences to Tara and the family. This is a huge loss which only loving memories can help relieve. I am thinking of you all and am sorry to be away for his celebration of life. One taken too soon but one well lived. Sincerely, Donna
Uncle Ken was dearly loved by his nieces, nephews and the extended family. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with Aunt Tara and their children and grandchildren. Uncle Ken sparked joy on many occasions and has left us too soon. Rest in peace Uncle Ken.
My sincere condolences to You Tara and to Your whole family on your great loss. May the many years of happy memories with Ken bring you some comfort at this difficult time. May Ken’s soul rest in the Peace of God.
Sad news, Ken’s passing. He was enthusiastic & engaging in the Cawthra Park UC faith community.
Appreciated his leadership, his support of the work of connecting people in the love that is the gospel for our time.
Enjoyed the meetings on the patio during covid, and the glass of wine at Christmas.
A faith community that believed in having good fun together.
Ken was so proud to have the family baptism gown that he wore, used for the next generation and the one after that.
I’m deeply sorry that you have lost Ken, Tara.
I wish you and your family comfort and strength.
With sympathy,
Debbie
I express my sincere condolences. The Bible promises that your loved one will come to life again on a beautiful paradise earth when death will be no more in John 5:28, 29 and Revelation 21:4.
My sincere condolences to Ken’s family. We were inseparable as kids on Barnes Crescent. Our adulthood took us in separate directions but I have nothing but fond memories of him. “Wolfie” Gugler
Our deepest sympathies to the entire family. May Ken be free of pain and suffering. Tara, we hope the many memories of Ken will get you through this most difficult time. We are sending our biggest hugs. Love Bob & Terry