Kenneth McGregor

Obituary

Kenneth Herbert Bruce McGregor (Ken), of Southampton, passed away peacefully in Wiarton on July 3, 2025, at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness.  His family, Francine, Emilie and Phil were by his side.

Born in Bowmanville, Ontario, Ken was the son of the late Bruce and Helen (née Middleton) McGregor.  Ken is lovingly remembered by Francine, his wife of 53 years, his son Phil (Tracy MacGregor) and daughter Emilie (Jeff Longland) and his grandchildren Jaimie Abigail, Owen, Cullen and Laurel.  He is survived by his sister, Barbara Sprague; his sister-in-law Louise Ferland(Richard Bedard).  He is predeceased by his sister Margaret (Peggy) Holmes.  He will be remembered fondly by nieces and nephews Fraser, Jeanne, Matthew, Lee, Christopher and Summer and his many beloved great nieces and nephews.

Ken graduated in architecture from Ryerson Polytechnic and worked in Toronto for 25 years.  Sick and tired of the commute to the city, Ken and his family relocated to Southampton where they had been cottaging for many years and opened Storybook House and Café. The bookstore would be an exciting adventure for Ken, Francine and Peggy.

After closing Storybook House in 2000, Ken started his internet business selling old and vintage books to collectors online.  Specializing in local history and Canadiana he could be found early Saturday mornings going through boxes at garage sales, often referred to as ‘The  Bookman”.

Ken was known for his wit.  He excelled at making a room full of people laugh with a timely joke, quietly waiting for the perfect pause in conversation.  He was the ultimate collector.  He used to say he collected everything, except wives.  He was a builder, a restorer, an antique dealer, an environmentalist, a gardener, a chef, a beer connoisseur, and loved nothing more than a really good pun.

A committed environmentalist, he was active member of the Halton Hills Conservation Authority.  Upon moving to Southampton, he became an avid supporter of the Grey-Sauble Conservation Authority, the Marine Heritage Society, a longtime board member of the Southampton Art School,  and was a faithful member of the Propellor Club.

If you wish to donate in memory of Ken, please support a meaningful cause in our community.