Kenneth "Ken" Harry Ruttan

Kenneth (Ken) Harry Ruttan

March 28, 1941 – November 14, 2021

Passed away at Hospice Peterborough in his 81st year with his daughter and loving wife of 61 years by his side. Ken is survived by his wife, Kathy, daughter Karen, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Jackie Fillier, as well as his beloved granddaughters Stefanie Fillier-Ruttan (Robert Matiz) and Nicole Fillier-Ruttan (Josh Johnson). He is predeceased by his parents, Mildred and Ken Ruttan; sister Sandra Snelgrove (John), sister Mary Twomey (Dan) and brother Don Ruttan (Linda), along with sister-in-law Pat Varga (Emil) and sister-in-law Barb Pearce (Larry). He will be greatly missed by his sister Barbara Koprowski (Ron), sister-in-law Linda Ruttan, brothers-in-law Emil Varga (Joanne O’Donoughue) and Larry Pearce (Lee Beauregard), and fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews and a host of great friends.

Ken grew up in Peterborough, thriving in all sports, but the game of lacrosse was his true passion. He captured the Minto Cup with the Hasting Legionnaires in 1961 and the Mann Cup with the 1966 Peterborough Pepsi Petes. He proudly played for the Canadian men’s field lacrosse team in 1967, taking home a bronze medal. One of the game’s greatest two-way players, he was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1997, the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2009. 

A 31-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police, Ken retired from the force in 1994 as a Detective Constable at the Intelligence Branch in Toronto. Ken and Kathy then retired back to Peterborough to live their dream of cottage life. It was there that Ken developed his artistic talent as an accomplished wood carver, creating a collection of birds and wildlife that are now treasured by friends and family.

While Ken led a life full of accomplishments, his greatest joy was being Papa to his two granddaughters – Stefanie and Nicole. He treasured his life-long friends, many of whom supported him throughout his illness and kept him company until the day before he died. For that his family will be forever grateful.

His family would like to thank Drs. Jeff Neville and Katherine Safka for supporting Ken throughout his illness, and extend their gratitude to Dr. Matheson and the caring professionals at Hospice Peterborough for the compassion and guidance shown to Ken and his family in his final days.

A private family graveside service will be held at Rosemount Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Peterborough or Kawartha Food Share would be greatly appreciated. At Ken’s request, a public celebration of life will be held in 2022 when it is safe to do so.  On-line condolences may be made by visiting Ken's obituary page at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com.