My Friend Ken Vinen - R.I.P.

I first met Ken in the summer of 1992.  He had heard through the hobby
grapevine that I restored antique music boxes.  A brief phone call led
to a visit to restore his Stella floor model disc music box, which led
to a wonderful friendship that lasted up until his passing.

Ken and I worked on many phonograph, music box, & player piano projects
together, but our friendship went far beyond the hobby.  He took an
avid interest in both of my boy's musical talents, and even purchased
instruments for them with the condition they learned to play them!
This prompted a huge musical interest with my kids which is still going
strong!

Ken loved showing his collection to anyone who took an interest.  He
even had a Wurlitzer band organ on a trailer he pulled around to fairs
and public events complete with a popcorn wagon!

Ken was also a gifted musician.  Prompted by his passion for player
pianos, he could play as good as the 1920's roll artists themselves,
even imitating styles of certain artists like James P. Johnson.

Ken always had an interesting story to tell, and he had a way of
telling you things in such a manner that you hung to every word he
said.  He worked in radio in his youth, and later in life he was
a "saloon keeper", as he always put it -- telling me amazing stories
about being the owner, bartender and bouncer!

Ken was a professional chef working in many famous Canadian hotels
from east to west coast.  I still have some of his recipes -- the best
banana bread, hands down!

When I met Ken, he had established a wonderful bed & breakfast hotel in
Stratford, Ontario, boasting 13 rooms, all with fireplaces, in a fully
restored home built in the 1860s.

Ken retired to Aylmer, Ontario, a few years ago in another beautiful
turn-of-the-century home where his collection of phonographs, music
boxes, player pianos, could be displayed in a way that allowed for grand
visits, and very entertaining evenings.  He also had quite a collection
of beautiful exotic birds such as parrots and macaws.

Ken's health started to decline a couple of years ago, battling
diabetes.  Ken passed away on October 31st, 2019, from the complications
of a stroke one day earlier.

Ken really was larger than life, and he lived every day to the fullest.
I will miss you buddy, I was proud to call you one of my dearest
friends.  You were family to me.  May you Rest In Peace my friend.

As per Ken's wishes, there is no funeral or visitation.

Darren J. Wallace