UMPHREY – Kenneth Keith, 63, of Halifax, passed away from natural causes at home on Sunday, December 20, 2015.
Born in Oshawa, Ontario he was a son of the late Harley and Christina (McPhee) Umphrey.
Kenny was gifted in many ways, but his true passion was his music. Though his life took him in different directions at times, he always returned to his true passion. He will be fondly remembered as a kind, spiritual and tenacious person. He was young at heart and touched all whom met him. He showed courage and cheerfulness when faced with obstacles in his life, in short, Kenny was a gentle man.
He is survived by his sisters Karen Umphrey and Kim Umphrey, both of Liverpool; his brother Harley (Genevieve) of Singapore; his nephew Dravyn Collins of Los Angeles, CA. and special family friend Christine MacPherson of Liverpool. Kenny is also survived by many other loving relatives.
He was predeceased by his brother Ross.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. A service will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Kenny may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
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Watson Inglis
Sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. Will be thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Dale Saulnier
Kim and Karen, words can’t express how sorry I am to hear of Kenny’s passing. He will be fondly remembered for his fun-loving personality and his musical talents. My sincerest condolences.
Deb Sponagle-Taylor
Rest in peace Kenny .
Sending strength and hugs .
Deb
Bea DeLong
Kim & Karen My Sincere Sympathy in your loss of your brother.
Take Care, Bea
Gordon and Jackie Eisnor
Karen,Kim and Harley:It is with sadness that we hear of Kenny’s passing.He was a person of great musical talent.Condolences extended to all members of his family.
Kevin and Debbie Page
Kim and Karen, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kevin and Debbie Page
John Whynot
Harley, Kim, Karen, I am so sorry to read of Kenny’s passing. Growing up Kenny was always an inspiration musically. I have fond memories of having a quick jam session with Ken and Harley. Please know that I am thinking of you all at this terrible time in your lives.
Becky Medicraft and Susan MacLeod
Dear Friends Karen and Kim; Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this most difficult time. Kenny was truly a gifted musician and a remarkable human being. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Lynn Lavender(Westhaver)
Dear Karen and Family, So sorry to hear about Kenny…thinking about you in the days ahead,take care. Lynn
carolee and chris
sorry for your loss R.I.P. Kenny
Joanne Bond
Dear Karen and Kim, please know you are in my heart and prayers. I remember Kenny and his music and he was a man ahead of his time in those days. When he returned to Halifax from BC, he brought his guitar to my place and we had an amazing, magical, musical time. He was a kind and gentle man. Take good care.
Joanne
Joy McDonald
So sorry for your loss. Sweet guy gone so young.
Joy Johnson
John Stevens
Kenney was a good freind I met in passing for a few years but when he moved into the same Apt. Bldg. as i live in last year we would see each other daily and watch a movie or just have a chat.I will miss him.I remember a conversation we had once and he said it would take a lot to get rid of us old rounders and we both had a good laugh.I was lucky to have met his two sisters Karen and Kim whom he had all the love in the world for.I will hold on to the memories i have of him,never to be lost.
Janice And Mark Reynolds
Kim and Karen,
So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing.
Janice
Anne Sellar
Dear Kim,
Just heard from Bea about the passing of your brother Kenny. I want to offer my sincere condolences to you and your family. I have never met Kenny but he must have been quite a guy judging by all the words of condolence that I viewed on line. There is never a good time for this to happen, but right before Christmas is so sad. Know that I will be thinking of you and will keep you in my prayers
Anne
Sam Moon
So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing condolences to the Family. I always had a lot respect for Kenny as a person and musician and was always a fun person to be around. Sam
glennn cross
kim and Karen I am so sorry to hear of Kenny,s passing. we travelled many roads together. he taught me a lot about music. I will miss him. he was a good friend.
Ron Petrie
So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing …great singer and musician ..II’m happy to have known and played music with him …my thoughts and prayers are with his family now in this time of sorrow
Johnny Lake
My memories of Kenny through music will never die … See you on the other side my friend !
Chris Brockway
I’m so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. I knew him well back in the early 70’s and thought he was a very kind person, a loyal friend and a very talented bass player and singer. We bonded over the fact that we were both left handed. He was a gentle soul with a huge heart. I am so sorry for your loss. Play on Kenny!
Hugh &Pat Dixon
Karen,Kim.Harley.
So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Butch and Loretta Cook
Kim, Karen and Harley – we were saddened by Kenny’s premature death. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you through this holy season.
Murray Wigglesworh
Karen & Family – So sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. I spent many a day with him during some of his troubling times but he always seemed to conquer and rise on top. Always a friend to all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during these difficult times.
Alta Mason
To Kim and Karen and families. I am so sorry to hear about losing Kenny. Losing a family member is never easy. Cherish all your great memories with Kenny and may that ease your grief as you walk this difficult road. My thoughts and prayers are with you all now.
Debbie (Hupman) Thibault
Dear Karen and Kim: I am so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. Enjoyed chatting with him and hearing him play again the other summer! Sincere condolences to you both, to Harley and to all those who knew and loved Kenny!
Leslie Clarke
Kim and Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Kenny. You are in my thoughts and I hope good memories will bring you peace.
Leslie
Barb Snarby
Kim,Karen and Harley
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news about Kenny. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Janice Mitchell
Karen, Kim & Harley…..so very sorry to hear of Kenny’s sudden passing. I have lots of great memories of Kenny. He was a great musician and always had a way of making people smile. He will be missed by many. May you find peace and comfort in those who surround you during this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. Rest in Peace Kenne.
Paul and Cathleen
Dear Umphrey Family,
Our deepest sympathy and our prayers are with you at this time.Kenny was a good guy.He was a fine musician and worked hard at his profession. Kenny always had a fond hello when I met him.He had a passion for many, and many things;his friends,people in general and above all sharing his music with those near and far.Although I never kept contact with Kenny, I feel his loss in my heart and soul.To you Karen, Kim, Harley,Genevieve,Dravyn and Tinie,we will be thinking about you at this difficult time,but be assured that Kenny is with the Lord. Take care and hope to see you at the celebration of Kenny’s life where there will be many fond memories to share.
Michael, Denise, Aislin, & Rory
Kim and Karen, we are so sorry to learn of Kenny’s passing. You are in our hearts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
The Flynns
Dave Large
Kim, Karen and Harley;
Sorry to learn of Kenny’s passing – a colossal talent taken too young. My memories extend to he late 60’s when the blue bus would be parked on Main St and Melody Fair would be rehearsing outside my office in Rawding’s garage. Nether I nor my patiients were bothered by the easily audible amplified tunes that entertained the neighborhood. They were good!
Our sympathy goes out to you.
Dave
Nellie Crouse, Kathy Jo Rumbolt
Dear Karen and Kim,
We were saddened to learn of Kenny’s passing. May he be at peace. We are thinking of you as we have also experienced losing loved ones so close to the time of year that families gather together. We have fond memories of the good ol’ days in Liverpool including all of you.
Mary MacLeod
Karen and Family,
Thinking of you and sending wishes of comfort and peace at this difficult time. Mary
Margo Hanley
Karen & Kim: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Kenny will be missed by you all. My thoughts and prayers are being sent your way to help you through this sad time. God Bless.
Jim Parsons and Shelley Meister
Hi Karen, family and friends,
We’re very sorry to hear that your brother passed away. We just want you to know that our thoughts are with you at this time and we look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future.
Take care,
Jim and Shelley
Roy and Gail Whalen
Karen ,Kim and Harley,sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing.Our thoughts are with you all.
Peter Rawding
Karen, Kim & Harley
I was shocked and saddened to hear that Kenny had passed away.
Not long after your family moved to Liverpool, we became best friends. Kenny and I spent many happy hours at your homes across from the IGA store and later on Court Street. Like others of our generation, we were two impressionable youngsters who quickly got hooked on the Beatles and all the music that followed. I think it was around Grade 8 or 9 when we started the band. In my opinion, he became the best bass player in the Maritimes in those days.
After I left Melody Fair, we went our separate ways and I hadn’t seen him in many years, It was magical (for both of us) to reunite in 2012. We were very excited to hear our voices blend together after all that time.
He was still the Kenny I remembered….a good, humorous, gentle, and peaceful man.
And, in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make.
Lennon-McCartney
Cindy and I send our heartfelt condolences to you in this difficult time.
Peter Rawding
Evie Clark
Karen & Kim – So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you in this diffucult time.
Jean Strum
Dear Kim and Family:
I was so very sorry to read of Kenny’s passing. He was very talented and I’m sure you all have good memories. Remember the good times, it really does help.
Please accept my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jean Strum
Mike and Donna West
Kim, Karen and family,
So sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your families. You are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Neil and Sharon MacKinnon
So sorry to hear this sad news; Kenny was highly respected by the music community and will be missed by all of us who knew him.
Kenny was a natural musician with a wonderful feel for playing, and confounded many with his ability to play a bass left or right-handed, strung normally or inverted! Also a great vocalist; his voice was a big part of the original Snakeye Band’s sound, and also that of Melody Fair, which was when I first saw him and met him.
A gentle soul and a great talent, rest in peace.
Dawn Cullen
Dear Karen, Christine and family,
I wanted to offer my condolences on the death of Karen’s brother. I hope it might provide a little comfort to know that others are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Dawn Cullen
Halifax
Laura Dobson
I have so many memories of Kenne. He was my lab partner in grade 10 along with Peter Rawding and my partner in partying all through high school. One night in grade 12 at Summerville Beach he gave me advice that has stayed with me all my life.It was a joy to talk to him again and see him perform at the Still Crazy weekend. My condolences to the family. Laura Lawson Dobson
Marion Seamone
Karen, Kim & Harley, So sorry for your loss; my thoughts are with you at this difficult time…
Charlene and Bruce White
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Umphrey family.
Jodi and Dave Donald
Dear Karen and Kim, so sorry to hear about Kenny’s passing. Know that you are in our thoughts.
Neil Dobson
Fair thee well Kenny..
You taught me a lot and you were a friend.
Keith Porter
Kim and Karen. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy Cameron Leach
Dear Karen & Kim,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Lynn Rafuse
Karen & Kim,I was so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing.The Saulnier/Umphrey kids shared lots of fun times together and I have fond memories of those days.My condolences at this sad time.
Debby & Rick Marshall
Kenny was our good friend we all live in the same building he was always a cheerful and helpful man I will miss him. Our Condolence to the family .
Gord Fornataro
Thanks for all the great memories from Langley beach crowd to snake eye,such a talent,RIP,Kenny. I remember hitch hiking in PEI and Kenny and another guy,picked us up on a lonely county road and driving us to our destination,we were thrilled.
Diane Smith
Karen, Kim and family. I was sorry to hear about Kenny’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time
Brian Mitchell
Karen,Kim,Harley
As a past employee and long time family friend i was shocked to hear of Kenny’s passing. Knowing Kenny from a young
boy it was obvious Kenny would not persue his dads passion for the Grocery Business . However it was apparent early
he had great musical talent, which became his direction in life. Kenny had his highs and lows in life but he always had
a tremendous family watching over him . Thinking of all of you in this time of loss
Brian Mitchell
December 26 2016
Gary Saulnier
Thanks for the great childhood memories Kenny. I will always remember. My deepest condolences to Karen, Kim and Harley and to all who knew and loved this very unique soul..
Jeff Miller
Kim, Karen and Harley,
Sad to hear of Kenny’s passing. Such a talent leaving us too soon!! All the Best, Jeff
jean Saulnier-Blades
So shocked and saddened to hear of Kenny’s passing..My sincere condolences to Karen, Kim and family.. Jean
John Rawding
Karen, Kim & Harley
My memories of Kenny go back to the best of times in Liverpool. He was a loyal friend, a great talent and a kind spirit. It was great to re-unite with him and the Melody Fair crew in 2012. He has touched each of us in his own way and will stay with us on vinyl and in our fond memories.
Cindy dalby
Kim and Karen, so sorry to hear about Kenny. I know he will be missed by all who knew him. My prayers are with you now. Cindy Dalby
John Theriau
Karen,Kim & Harley
Sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Brian Chandler
Karen and Kim, so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of fond memories of spending time with you guys and your family.
Peter Crouse
Karen, Kim, and Harley,
We are so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Peter and Andrea Crouse
Zona Hatt
Dear Kim,,
My heart goes out to you and your entire family. I remember the many times that Forde spent at your home and on occasion he would be forced to drag me along 🙂 As you know Forde was into music as strongly as Kenny. Music is a gift from God and brings happiness to many for you to are gifted. It is difficult to lose a sibling but may your family find peace in knowing his music brought joy to many and he lived his life to the fullest. .
My sincere condolences and may God be with you all this difficult time.
Zona
Pat Cochrane
Kim, Karen and your family. I am very sorry for your loss. A very sad time for you.
Marilyn Neal and Ken Ballem
Karen, Kim and family
I was so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Cordelia and Randy Jaggernathsingh
Harley, Kim, and Karen:
It was with great sadness that we learned of Kenny’s passing.
We are thinking of the three of you at this time, and we wish
you all the best.
I loved going across the road to play basketball, and Kenny would
always come out and fool around with us.
Then the boys would often jam with Harley and Kenny in the basement on Waterloo Street,
always playing rock and roll.
He will be missed.
God bless
.
Susan MacLeod
Karen and Kim:
I certainly remember Ken and the musical talents he had and shared. Great memories. My sincere condolences.
Susan M.
Duncan & Goretti MacIsaac
Kim, Karen & Harley,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dunc & Goretti MacIsaac
Don Haggart
Kenny was a wonderful creative talent.He was the first bass player in the first garage band I was ever in… I used to have breakfast at his family’s house on the way to school. He and I worked part time at his father’s I.G.A. Store He and I began writing songs together. Kenny had a remarkable falsetto voice and became one of the most innovative musicians I have ever known. He played with Jim and me on the road for a short time. Kenny was very charismatic on stage.You could feel the electricity when you played music with him. Kenny was a true soul friend. He will be missed, Don Haggart
Linda Moulton
Kim and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts .
Linda Dalby Moulton
David Conrad
I am sorry to here of Kenny’s passing. I worked with Kenny at his parent’s IGA store and enjoyed knowing him. He, like his parents, was a great guy. Music, since he was a young teen, was his love.