Kenneth Ralph Mcculloch

It is with great sadness that we relay the passing of Ken McCulloch. Ken was born in Regina to Chisholm Ralph McCulloch and Ruth Inez Johanna Nygren. His sisters, Denise Hansen and Teryl Hemmingsen survive him. As a young man, growing up in Victoria he swam competitively played basketball, volleyball and ran track while he attended Victoria High School. After graduation in 1955, he considered a life of fishing but after falling overboard while the skipper slept, and then fortunately being found at sea, he decided to pursue higher education at Victoria College. While there, Ken was a member of the Victoria College Canadian Championship Basketball Team. He often reflected on those days with great fondness. Ken continued playing basketball, Senior B, Senior A, including the Haida Chiefs and Rent-a-Wreck squads, less competitively but just as passionately until his 50's. Many inadvertently, perhaps, received a knock from those elbows or the slip of those huge hands. His love of the game remained intact until the end. After college, Ken was employed by the Greater Victoria School District. He dedicated himself to both education and leadership within the District and was proud to be known as the youngest principal ever employed within it. Career highlights for him included his time as principal at Fairburn, Monterey, and Lampson schools. He loved teaching social studies, coaching basketball, overseeing the floor hockey, and encouraging theatre and music. He formed very strong professional bonds with students, other educators, and parents, many of whom he went on to also call friend. Ken was seconded by the Ministry of Education as Assistant Director, School Accreditation, Program Evaluation and Research Branch in 1988 and coordinated the 1997 Monbu-Sho Program. After a teaching exchange to Western Australia he became enamoured by the land, the life and the people there. In retirement, he returned several times, and at age 67 wrote his passion project, a travelogue titled Tasmania. Retiring at 55 allowed him time to explore his love of travel, music, art and artistry, golf, and the finer things in life with his partner, Nanna (nee Angus) who sadly, predeceased him. Ken was a very proud supporter and volunteer for the Vic High Alumni Association. The preservation of that beautiful old school was very important to him. Ken is also survived by his children, Sherri McCulloch (Barry Korven) Lisa McCulloch (Fred Dobbs) and Michael McCulloch (Lara nee Melville), his grandchildren Ryan Norbury (Anna Mosolov) Sasha Ormiston (Brad Ormiston), Sarah Lewis-George (Elliot Lewis-George), Veronica Silverthorn (Connor Silverthorn) Ben Norbury, Max McCulloch and Amelia McCulloch and his great grandchildren Florence, Boden, Odelle and Dominic all of whom he shared with Julie (nee Block). His family already misses his laughter, speeches and encouragement, but so appreciates all he did for them. They have memories to treasured always. "His involvement in our lives and love for each of us was legendary." Palma Non Sine Pulvere A celebration of Ken's life will occur when COVID restrictions allow. Our family requests that you consider a donation to the Ken McCulloch Scholarship fund held at the Victoria Foundation. The fund will be used to support student scholarships at Victoria High School. Donations can be made by phoning 250-381-5532 or mailed payable to the Victoria Foundation, #200-703 Broughton Street, Victoria BC, V8W-1E2 - please indicate on the memo line Ken McCulloch Scholarship Fund or made online at victoriafoundation.bc.ca or through the "Donations" tab on the left of the Tribute Page.