EDITOR'S NOTE: This article originally appeared on Aug. 20, 2024.
Ken Bush, who passed away recently at the age of 87, is remembered by his sons Allan and Peter for his passion for the environment, the community and giving back. The long-time Waterdown resident was also proud of his history of community service.
Ken was born in Hamilton on Dec. 21, 1936. His family moved to Burlington when he was in about Grade 3, so he went to school in Aldershot. For high school, he took a bus up to Waterdown District High School (WDHS). Allan pointed out that long-serving WDHS teachers Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lunn taught both him and his father.
Ken met Margaret Anderson at WDHS in 1953, when she was in Grade 9 and he was in Grade 11. She was sitting in front of him on a school bus on their way to a football game in Toronto. They were married on Sept. 26, 1959 at East Plains United Church in Aldershot. In about 1962, they built a house in Waterdown, where they raised their two sons.
After high school, Ken took night school courses at McMaster University in accounting, marketing and business law. He started his first job at Westinghouse Hamilton in 1955, as an electrical lighting sales specialist, and remained there for 28 years. He continued his career in lighting sales with Wesco/Crouse-Hinds, Sylvania, Wharton Sales and as an independent business operator.
Serving the local community
Starting in the early 1970s, Ken served in local government for a total of 11 years, first as an alderman for the Village of Waterdown and then as Councillor for Ward 1 in the Town of Flamborough after regional government was adopted in 1974. He was chair of the Flamborough Planning Committee for six years
and was Flamborough Recreation chair for two years.
Peter Curtis, who was the town's Director of Community Services when Ken chaired the Recreation Committee, noted a major achievement during Ken’s tenure was the construction of Millgrove Community Centre with no money from local property taxes - the money came from federal and provincial grants and from local fundraising. Another highlight was the purchase and renovation of Valens Community Centre.
At the time, Flamborough had nine subcommittees made up of volunteers, with each subcommittee being responsible for the parks and community centres in their part of Flamborough. Curtis and Ken worked together to ensure that each subcommittee had a budget to call upon but there was still a lot of volunteer hours and fundraising for things like resurfacing parking lots, installing lights and grass cutting.
Curtis describes Ken as “very hands-on” and interested in the community, remembering that Ken would always come to his office ahead of meetings to go over the issues. Curtis recalls Ken as a “key influencer” on council and how he could work behind the scenes to advance park and recreation projects.
The family shared a flyer advertising Ken’s campaign when he was running for the Flamborough Ward 1 seat - many of which can be seen around today. It lists his accomplishments: a new park purchase for the Duncan Street and Longyear area (now Longyear Park); landscaping and parking for Smokey Hollow Park, and recreational work in Memorial Park, Sealey Park, Gatesbury Park phase 2 and Rockliffe Park. Ken was also part of creating the Arrowhon Natural Area on Boulding Avenue, just SW of Parkside Drive.
As councillor, Ken pushed for Waterdown’s water to be brought in from Burlington, and was involved in the construction of the concrete cylinder-shaped water tower on Kelly Street in Waterdown. Ken was also a big promoter of the industrial park at Clappison’s Corners. During his tenure, the blue box program was initiated, the Hamilton Street sidewalk was constructed from Cedar Street to John Street and the downtown parking area behind Memorial Hall was built.
Council records of the era reflect the unchanging nature of local politics: one ongoing frustration for Ken during his time on council was their inability to make progress on a Waterdown bypass. He also continued to press for an increased police presence and facilities in Flamborough.
Ken Bosveld, former editor of the Flamborough Review, remembers how approachable Ken was as a councillor, and his patience when explaining things to reporters. Bosveld recalls him as a “high-integrity guy, very honest, very thoughtful” and a highly respected member of council who did his homework.
Ahead of his time on environmental issues
Ken was one of the original members of the Halton Conservation Authority, serving as the town representative to the Authority for 8 years. During his term, he was involved in the building of Mountsberg Conservation Area.
Allan and Peter said their dad was ahead of his time when it came to recycling and blue bins, and his focus on the environment. They shared a flyer Ken used for re-election which was printed on recycled paper and included the words “Because of my Environmental Concerns, I will not be erecting Election Signs”, along with his slogan, “Push for Bush”.
Ken also volunteered extensivly. He was a founding member of the Waterdown Optimist Club. He served as Chair of the Worship Committee at St.
James United Church, coached and managed several minor league baseball teams and was a member of the Waterdown Legion. Ron Steepe, a charter member of the Waterdown Lions Club, remembers that Ken also joined the club when it was formed in 1967, and that Ken was the club president in 1977/78.
Peter reports that Ken encouraged and supported him to do his graduate work in environmental studies and environmental management. As a result, Peter is now a provincial forester in Nova Scotia, where he helps to preserve forests.
Allan credits his father’s example of community service for his own community involvement with organizations such as the Waterloo food bank and women’s crisis centre.
Allan and Peter have warm memories of their father as a jokester who could talk to anybody and make them laugh. They remember how he loved talking to and listening to people and how he tried to make the best possible decisions based on what he heard from community members.
In retirement, Ken found great joy in his coffee time with both old and new friends, as well as former colleagues. They would gather at various Tim Hortons and McDonald's locations in Waterdown, Kitchener and Halifax to discuss politics, share stories, and exchange jokes. He was often greeted with a warm, "The usual, Ken?"
