Kenneth William Bryenton

Kenneth “Kenny” William Bryenton, 88, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, at Pleasant Meadow Manor, Norwood, Ontario.

Born February 9, 1937, in Boston, Ken grew up on a farm on Union Rd., PEI—a place he cherished and revisited throughout his life. He married his first love, Margaret “Jane” Bryenton, in 1966, moved to San Diego, CA and together they raised two children: Kevin Bryenton (Kelly O’Neill), and Karen Brown (Jeff). He was a proud grandfather to Rebekah and Victoria Brown,  Michael, Nicolas, Gwen and Madeleine Bryenton, Melanie Norton and Jennifer Mungia.

Ken returned to Canada in 1980, settling in Indian River, ON, beside Jane’s sister Judy. Together  with Paul and Judy Quinlan and their children Julie, Katie and Jon— his family had two homes that shared one heart.

A tireless worker and mechanical genius, there was nothing Ken could not build or fix.  Ken worked as an auto body technician, steel fabricator, and welder. He co-owned Blackie’s Welding in San Diego before beginning his long career as a Union Ironworker Welder . He was a proud member of Local 229 (San Diego) and Local 721 (Toronto). Known affectionately as “Kenny Handrail,” he worked across all facets of the trade but was especially passionate about and admired for his ornamental ironwork.

In the 1960s Ken was an early pioneer of hang gliding and held the world altitude record.  He contributed many innovations to the sport in its early days designing and building gliders from scratch in his own garages.  Always adventurous, he loved dune buggies, roller-skating, dancing, singing, swap meets, and especially water-skiing—teaching countless beginners with endless patience at the family cottage on Trent River, ON.

In retirement, Ken divided his time between San Diego, Ontario, and PEI, travelling with his partner Nancy MacKay and spending time with family that grew to include Nancy’s brother Gregory Brown, her children Shelley Barker and Jim MacKay and her grandchildren and great grand children.

Ken is lovingly missed by sisters Joan Bellew and Judy Nelson and by brother Thane (Peggy) Bryenton and daughter Gayle Lloyd. He is fondly remembered by nieces and nephews Roy, Shelley, Ronnie and Kenny Keizer, Tami and Peter Axcell, Matt Bryenton and Genevieve Gunderson, Julie (Ryan) Huges, Katie (Blair) Pollock, Jon (Tania) Quinlan.

Ken’s humour, warmth, and generosity left everyone he met smiling. He could tell jokes from sunup to sunset and had an infectious personality and charm that was unforgettable.  Ken did anything he could for the people he loved and was always ready to help his friends, neighbours and just about anyone he met.

Fearless and full of life, Ken packed many adventures into his 88 years and often said he was “the luckiest man alive.” His spirit lives on in the many people he inspired.

A reception will be held January 30, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE, 2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough, to share stories and celebrate the life of the unforgettable Ken Bryenton.