Remembering Ken Withers

Sally Graham welcomes Ken Withers to the PDSHOF June 2015

The Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame extend condolences to the family of Ken Withers.  Ken, a well known Peterborough athlete, passed away at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Thursday May 4, 2017.

From Ken’s Hall of Fame induction biography:  
“Growing up in Peterborough, Ken attended King George Public School, playing on the school teams in the late 1930′s and early 1940′s.  For over 80 years, Ken Withers has been actively involved in playing, coaching and organizing sports in the City of Peterborough.  This versatile athlete played many sports.  While serving in the army during WWII, he played soccer and hockey.  He played defense for the Peterborough Triple Link Junior hockey team winning the Central Ontario Championship in 1945.  He was invited to the St. Catharine’s Junior A hockey camp and also received an invitation to attend the Montreal Alouette’s training camp. Marriage and work commitments ended any thought of going on in hockey or football.  He played hockey for the CGE Tool Room; was a halfback and linebacker with the 1945 and 46 Peterborough Junior Orfuns football team – Canadian Finalists; the 1947 and 48 Intermediate Orfuns; Industrial League and City League Softball; and junior and intermediate hard ball, winning many league championships.  Ken was instrumental in starting the youth program for boys at Grace United Church where he often funded and coached hockey and softball from tadpole to juvenile.  He was the Co-Founder, Executive Member and Coach of the Outboard Marine Shop Hockey League; and Co-Founder and Executive Member of the Peterborough Industrial League.  He was on the committee responsible for raising the funds to build the Civic Arena and the Memorial Centre.  He served as a long time volunteer for the Lift Lock Atom Hockey Tournament.   He is an avid golfer and continues to play slow-pitch where he has served on the Executive, Chaired the Golf Tournament and was Umpire-in-Chief.”

Our thoughts are with Ken’s family at this time.

Link to Ken Withers Your Life Moments Obituary

Link to Ashburnham Funeral Home Obituary