Lawrence "Ken" Kensick

Lawrence “Ken” Kensick, of Crystal Lake, was born July 17, 1937 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to John and Kathleen (nee Robel) Kensick. He passed away peacefully on November 7th, 2016 at home surrounded by his wife and sons.

Ken joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1955 as an officer and fighter pilot flying the F-86 and F-104. During his service, he deployed to Germany and France as part of the NATO defensive operations against the Soviet Union. After leaving the RCAF in 1965, Ken was hired as a pilot at United Airlines. That year Ken married Maureen Ann Kensick of Vancouver, British Columbia whom he met in Marveille, France where she was a school teacher at an RCAF military base. Ken first moved to Detroit, Michigan to begin his flying career with United. As his career progressed he also moved to Seattle in 1966. His eldest son Steve was born there in 1967. Finally, in 1968, Ken moved to Crystal Lake where he and Maureen remained through his entire career. His middle son Michael (1969) and youngest son David (1971) were both born in McHenry County. Ken had a diverse flying career at United Airlines, flying the DC-7, DC-8, 727, DC-10, 757, 767, and finishing up on the 747. Ken retired in 1997 from United, logging over 20,000 hours.

Growing up in Winnipeg, Ken had an enduring interest in hockey. He played in an adult league, was one of the founding members that started the Crystal Lake Hockey Club, was Club president and coached his three sons in hockey. Lastly, he enjoyed watching his two grandsons beginning their hockey career.

After retiring, he remained in Crystal Lake, pursuing his passions of motorcycle riding, flying his Cessna 170 and restoring a 1929 Model A. He was seen almost daily working out at Health Bridge and later in life developed a love of fishing and golf. In the last few years, Ken and Maureen began to split their time between Crystal Lake and their winter home in Naples, Florida.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Maureen (nee Croxton) Kensick; his sons, Stephen (Julie) of Waunakee, Wisconsin, Michael (Robyn) of Yorktown, Virginia, and David (Anita) Kensick of Chicago, Illinois; his grandchildren, Rachel, Grace, Eric, Jared, Holden, and Calvin; and his siblings, Stan (Thelma), Evelyn, and Jerry.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Walter, Millie, Marg, and Eileen; and his parents.

A funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 11, 2016 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014. The service will begin at 10:30am, followed by a reception in the church social hall.