Like a Million Bucks

Ken’s
Korner

I was deeply saddened to hear the news that a good friend to everyone was last last week.
Kingsley Downs, or “Kinger” as I called him, was one of those people that knew how to make you laugh instantly.
He always had that happy go lucky way about him that could bring your spirits up on the lowest of low days.
I knew him for many years but really did not get to know him until about 8 years ago when his son, Scott, and I went into business together.
We decided to convert the living space in my house into a photography studio and retail shop/gallery.
Kinger spent many a long nights there helping us fix the old house up. On a number of occasions it was just him and I working away there and boy could he make me laugh.
We also had many debates... he was always interested in a good debate, but when it was over, no matter how mad the loser of the debate was he would say something to lighten the moment and act like no one had been mad at all.
He taught me a great deal about carpentry work but also about work ethics.
Kinger would not do something unless it looked good. He took tremendous pride in his work and I really enjoyed watching him transform the old dilapidated house of mine into a beautiful creation like only a gifted tradesman could.
Kinger always said, “It is going to look like a million bucks Kenny!”
That saying stuck with me over the years and many a times when we met we would “shoot the crap” and talk about things he had done and how they were “looking like a million bucks!”
Kinger’s legacy may be in part all the buildings he has made look like a million bucks, but I think that his true legacy will be all the people he made feel like a million bucks.
At baseball tournaments he always made people smile. At bowling he did the same. In fact just about everywhere he went he did.
As word travelled of his tragic death last week, the reaction was one of shock. People from Fort Frances to Baudette that I encountered immediately remembered their last encounter with him and how he made them feel like a million bucks.
Thanks Kinger for brightening our world... we will all miss you a million times!
–Until then,
Ken