Kenneth George Sanders, P.Eng.

Ken Sanders passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, at the age of 97. To his last breath, Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was an amicable colleague, a true friend, and an always-helpful neighbour. He was known for his sharp, analytical mind, sense of adventure, desire to try new things, irreverent sense of humor, and concern for those suffering injustice. He could be counted on to lend a helping hand. Ken was slight of stature, but huge in heart. He always showed up and never lost the spark of connection he shared with those he loved.

Ken was born near London, Ontario and his early childhood was during the Great Depression. He started school a year early and was advanced a grade and so started university at the tender age of sixteen. He graduated from The University of Toronto Class of 1949 with a degree in Applied Science in Mining Geology. For the rest of his life, Ken was very proud to be a ‘49er, proud to be a P.Eng. and always wore his iron ring. One of his great university memories was Survey Camp, where his playful antics and amazing capacity to consume food astounded classmates, and became the stuff of legend for decades.

After graduation Ken and several intrepid classmates headed west seeking work and adventure. Ken eventually made his way, on his own, to Nicaragua. With less than $100 to his name, he tracked down the Canadian manager of a local mine startup and landed his first professional job working on a gold dredge. When his coffers were replenished and the novelty of that work wore off, Ken hitched a ride home on a small sailboat back to British Columbia, where he set up permanent residence.

His first opportunity took Ken to the Lardeau district of the West Kootenays of BC to investigate some mineral showings held by a local prospector. He quickly became good friends with the prospector, fell in love with the Lardeau – and fell in even more love with the prospector’s daughter, Cathleen Oakey. Ken and Cathleen were married in January 1956 and for the next seven years lived in many places in BC, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. As their family grew, they settled in the Lynn Valley area of North Vancouver where, over time, each of their seven children attended school.

Ken was an active participant in the Vancouver mineral exploration community. Although he held corporate jobs, he preferred the entrepreneurial side of the business as a consultant and as a principal dealing his own claims, or exploring projects he thought could become mines. He was one of the early proponents of low grade, open pit gold mines, of which there were very few in North America during the late sixties and mid seventies. He is perhaps best known for his geologic entrepreneurship in driving forward the Cinola gold deposit. He was respected and well liked in the Vancouver exploration community.

The most important thing in Ken’s life was his family. He and Cathleen were always supportive and proud of their kids, grandchildren and great grandkids. There was and is lots of love in this family.

Ken was predeceased by wife of over sixty years, Cathleen. He is survived by son George (Barbara, grandchildren Nathan, Rachel [Austin]), and Esther [Aaron]; daughter Mary (Wilf, grandchildren Gabriel [Jacquelyn], Daniel, Imogen [James], and Carl-Evan [Elissa]); Bill [(Tracy), granddaughters Shaun [Dale] and Tanya [Adrian]; Tara (Peter, grandchildren Sophia and Oliver [Alexanne]); James (Suzanne and grandson Elliott); Tim (Jennifer and grandson Elijah [Brianna]); and by Susanne (Mike and step-grandson Royston [Rachel], and grandchildren Lucia, Sebastian and Giacomo) and by nephew Shane (Suny and grand nephews /nieces Tiger, Sky and Rex). He is also survived by nine great grandchildren.

Ken loved and was loved by us all. He will be deeply missed. He was a man worth knowing.

Ken’s family extends a special thanks to the staff at Peace Portal Retirement Village, particularly Tricia and Melissa, for their exceptional care of Ken over the last year. Thanks also go to the staff at WRSV, Independent Living, where Ken resided for several years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Ken at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2250 150St., Surrey, B.C. on Thursday March 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM.