Garfield Kenneth Zinck
Garfield Kenneth Zinck passed away at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans in Edmonton, Alberta on December 16, 2023. Born on August 11, 1939 in East Dover, Nova Scotia, he was the son of Richard and Annie (Foote) Zinck.
Garfield to family, Ken to friends, Abe to many of his military colleagues, Ken went by a lot of names, but was known to all as friendly, outgoing and kind. He was tremendously proud of his 30 years in the military, serving with 1 Cdn Guards and 2RCR in postings including Germany, Gagetown NB, Borden, Cornwallis, Petawawa, and Picton ON, and two peacekeeping tours in Cyprus. He was active with the RCR Association and attended Guards reunions for many years after retirement.
On retirement from the military, Ken returned to the family home in East Dover and a second career in the fishery, with a boat fittingly named “Old Soldier.”
After losing his wife Nancy (Cadenhead) in 2012, Ken moved west to Beaumont, Alberta to be closer to his daughter and especially his grandsons Noah and Simon who were the light of his life. He met Joyce who was the next love of his life, and together they travelled, took the boys fishing, and did taxi duty to many hockey and lacrosse practices. Nothing made Ken happier than watching his grandsons play.
We are eternally grateful for the excellent care Ken received in his final years while living at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans, where the staff truly treated him like family.
There will be no formal service at Ken’s request. He will be laid to rest at a future date at William Black Cemetery in Glen Margaret, NS alongside his wife Nancy. Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson Canada, the CapitalCare Foundation (designated to the Kipnes Centre for Veterans) or a charity of your choice.
To Joyce and Ken’s Family, our deepest condolences on Ken’s passing. We met Ken and Joyce several years ago when they were spending their summers at the Devon Lions Campground and had many good conversations around the fire. It was a wonderful to see Ken again at the Kipnes Center and we had several chats reminiscing about Devon.
Thank you for your service to Canada, for being a good camping neighbour and for being a kind man.
Chuck and Dale
To Joyce and Ken’s family condolences from the President and members of the Royal Canadian Regiment Association in Edmonton. If there is anything that we can do or help with please contact us.
Our Condolences to Kens Family from Mary and I, I have known and served with him since the 70 and after Retirement we both lived in the Prospect Halifax area and became good friends . Rest In Peace old Friend Pro Patria.
President of the RCR association in Edmonton, my phone #780-902-1697.
Sorry for you loss. This is an addition to the above condolences under my name.
CWO Zink was my RSM when I commanded 2RCR. He was a true gentleman, a fine soldier and was loved by the NCOs and soldiers and respected by the Officers of the Battalion. I shall miss his his smiling face. My condolences to his family and friends. My single, clearest memory of him was when he returned to collect me, when he was the driver of a Skidoo one winter,with me on the back, we hit a bump at high speed en-route to visiting the Companies. That threw me off into a snow bank. When he returned, he was laughing so hard there were tears in his eyes. I will never forget him. 🙂
I was a Pte in 2 RCR when CWO Zinck was RSM. Hugely respected. He was also my father’s colleague with the Regiment of Canadian Guards. RIP.