We are sad to announce the passing of Kenneth Allen, on March 10, 2025 at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto, after a short illness and at the age of 95.

Ken was born May 1, 1929 to Maud and George Allen, who had emigrated from London England in the early 1900s. The family lived in East York, moving house flats frequently to keep living costs down. From his father he learned to love baseball, cribbage and bowling. From his mother he had a Salvation Army upbringing.

Music was a part of family life; his father and brother both played cornet. As a teenager Ken played E-flat horn with the Air Cadet Band. He heard the Metropolitan United Church Senior Band was forming a Junior Band and decided to join. His father encouraged him to choose trombone, because he said, “you’ll be able to play in any type of band.” Ken started on trombone and never looked back. With lessons from senior band members he began to enter Kiwanis contests and in 1947, and the following three years, placed first in his category.

In 1949 Ken was invited to play at the Kiwanis Stars of the Festival concert at Massey Hall. He needed piano accompaniment and a friend introduced him to the lady who would play piano for his performance, and eventually become his wife, Marilyn. Ken and Marilyn said they started their life together on the stage of Massey Hall.

Ken moved up to the Senior Metropolitan Silver Band in 1949 and played with them for 70 years, for most those years serving as lead and solo trombonist. He was the longest serving member in the band’s history and was band manager for 43 years. He helped to expand the outreach program to include performances in the GTA and beyond. Ken was a prolific arranger for the band and was considered their “resident arranger”. He created brass band arrangements of hundreds of hymns, and also arrangements for the band to play with choir, organ and vocalists who performed with the band over the many years of his tenure.

Ken attended Danforth Technical School and chose to apprentice in printing. On completing his journeyman papers Ken was placed in a position with University of Toronto Press in 1955. This started a 35-year career with the UofT Press, where he rose to position of Plant Manager.

Ken and Marilyn married in 1954 then bought a house in Scarborough in 1956 where they raised their two daughters. They also bought water-front cottage property in the Kawarthas and Ken started the task of cottage building. He was not discouraged by lack of road access and the very rocky piece of land. They floated the lumber across the lake, lugged bags of cement up the rocks, and lived in tents the first few years. Luckily, the hydro arrived in 1959.

He loved his cottage time: the swimming and snorkeling, the fireplace, neighbours and friends, the card games, bonfires and campfire songs, and the sunsets. His photo collection has a sunset of almost every colour.

In retirement Ken and Marilyn kept busy. Ken joined the Encore Symphonic Concert Band and continued to play with the Met Band until he was 90. He joined a local bowling league. Ken was a dedicated Blue Jays fan and he and Marilyn went to a selection of games every year, as well as to Toronto symphony orchestra concerts and musical theatre. And they spent time every summer at the cottage.

Ken is pre-deceased by his brother Albert and sister Evelyn, and his beloved wife Marilyn.

He is survived by daughters Barbara and Patricia. We will miss his optimistic outlook, love of social activities, hard-working attitude, his devotion to whatever he joined, dedication to his family, his love of cribbage (we could not beat him, even at the age of 95), the twinkle in his blue eyes and his smile. We thank him for being a wonderful father.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Michael Garron Hospital for their care in the final months of Ken’s life. And special thanks to caregivers Sheryll, Rowena and Rogelio.

Funeral will be held on Saturday May 3 at 2 pm at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough. Followed by burial and reception for both Ken and Marilyn.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Metropolitan Silver Band, by mail at c/o Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Z3. Or to Michael Garron Hospital Foundation: www.mghf.ca or 416-469-6003.

To view the memorial page for the late Marilyn Allen (August 15, 1930-November 15, 2023), please visit https://mountpleasantgroup.permavita.com/site/MarilynAllen.html