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Peacefully, at his home in Cobourg, in his 80th year. Beloved father of Kris, Amanda, Alex and Malcolm. Loving grandfather of Samuel, brother of Greg and nephew of Barbara. Ken worked in sales and marketing for a variety of corporations (Proctor and Gamble, Boots, Mac's Convenience, Cineplex cinemas, Galaxy Cinemas) before moving to Cobourg and presenting movies and cultural events, most famously at his exhibition space at the Loft before it's closure, and recently Jazz, folk and classical concerts at Victoria hall. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 1-4 p.m. at the MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Center, with the family sharing memories at 2 p.m. Donations to Victoria Hall would be appreciated.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
There is a space in our world that will never be filled again with Ken’s passing. He has moved on to a better place where sadness and pain can no longer darken his spirit. We will miss his warm engaging smile and the gleam in is eyes when he’s joking with us. The coffee table at Fabled Bean where a spot was always kept just for Ken will remain “HIS SPOT” He now has the peace he so richly deserves.
Sorry to hear of k Ken’s death…I just saw him at the coffee shop just before Xmas…he brought so much culture and provocative films to Cobourg over the years…he will be greatly missed
He was my friend and I loved him. Rest gently, dear one.
Ken will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of humour, and his remarkable ability to bring people together. His passing leaves a space at Kelly’s that cannot be filled, but his spirit will live on through the stories shared and the cherished memories of all who knew him. Rest in Peace our good friend. You have impacted our lives in the most profound way.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
Ken will be so missed in Cobourg and Brighton. He had a unique ability to bring people together, to introduce one to like minded souls. Ken enriched our lives with films and music at the Northumberland Film festival, The Loft and at Victoria Hall. He was a very well read and spiritual guy, as well as having a positive outlook on life. He will be missed by his friends and family. Travel in peace and light Ken.
My condolences. I will miss the movies, the jazz and other concerts with Ken, he played an important role in Cobourg's cultural landscape.
Thank you Ken for all of the joy you brought through the arts to the Town of Cobourg. We enjoyed many concerts that you hosted at the Loft and Victoria Hall. RIP.
How lucky we are in Northumberland County to have people like Ken who come here and strike while the iron is hot with their fresh ideas. He changed everything and we are thankful for the gifts he bestowed upon us.
What a loss for Cobourg community as well as Ken’s close friends and family. I first met Ken when he began Northumberland Film Sundays which continued on strongly after he opened the Loft. He was such an intelligent, passionate and compassionate soul. I shall miss his stories and what he brought to our town. A diamond in the rough! RIP Ken and thank you for all that you brought us.
Ken gave so much to our community and was a bright star on his own bringing laughter and tears with all of his musical, theatre and movie productions. We will miss him and his great sense of humour.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
Thank you for all the years entertaining us in Cobourg.
Remembering Ken from his university days and life in London ON. He was bright, congenial and a ton of fun, I am sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to the family.
Ken had a unique approach to proofreading. "I'll proof read for free," he said, "but it will cost you $5 for every typo I find." An original voice in the Arts world. He will be missed.
Dearest Ken, I miss your warm smile and your all‑enveloping hugs. May you rest in peace. To your family and the many friends who loved you, I offer my sincerest condolences. May the memories you shared with sweet Kenneth bring comfort and strength as you navigate this time of mourning.
Ken brought a lot of wonderful musicians and films to our town, adding a great deal to the art scene in Cobourg. My sincere sympathies to his family at this sad time.
Ken, you were always so welcoming at The Loft and how much we enjoyed your comments and your contribution to our community. I will always remember your smile and the gleem in your eye as you talked about what you were presenting.........thank you very much......sincerely, Susan and Rainer Broll
Ken was always willing to help and to create community by enriching our lives through art and music. May he rest in peace.
We were so sorry to hear of Ken's passing. He was a warm, kind host who welcomed hundreds of people to his movies and events. We attended many of his presentations and were always delighted to chat with him about our mutual love of movies. He will be missed. Gord and Dianne Graham
Ken was an extraordinary person who gave so much to our community through the arts. I met him years ago when I stopped by the Loft Cinema to propose screening the Northumberland Hispanic Film Festival — that was about eight years ago. From that moment, we became friends and collaborators. He had a true appreciation for Spanish culture and a special love for Latin Jazz. His presence, energy, and dedication made a real impact. His passing leaves a space that cannot be filled, and we will miss him deeply. Fly high, my friend. Thank you for everything you shared with us.
My deepest condolences. Ken was such a great supporter of local live music and helped so many of us. He will be missed and remembered by many.
My deepest sympathies to Ken's family for their loss. Ken was also a wonderful bringer of all manner of stimulating cultural experiences to the community. He will be missed by many.
My condolences to Ken's family and friends. Ken did much to bring the arts and music to Cobourg. He always enjoyed talking about new shows or artists he wanted to bring to town, as well as the shows that he was putting on at the Loft and later at Victoria Hall. He will be missed and remembered by many. Rest in peace Ken.
My sympathies to his family. The community has, as many have already said, lost a great supporter of the arts and an innovator in the community from Northumberland Film Sundays (which continues strong today), to the LOFT and it's varied shows, movies, concerts, art exhibits, WHAM, Les AMIS and many others to his "reincarnation" of jazz @ Vic Hall. He was a wealth of information on the arts and culture (I was constantly impressed not just with his knowledge but his ability to remember it all). He gave many musicians and other artists exposure in this area that they would otherwise not have received. His later years were definitely a struggle and yet he continued on... with a concert as recently as a week ago Thursday. May he rest in peace.
Thinking of the family, friends, and Ken’s community at this time. Met Ken while caring for his mother near Warkworth. He showed great respect for people from all walks of life, he was kind, and cared deeply about so many issues. Sorry to hear about his passing.
My condolences to all of Ken's family and friends. Will miss our long chats at Kelly's over breakfast or lunch (even longer at The Loft with coffee and pastry), everything from music to politics to art and the weather. He always needled me regarding Jazz that Hurts, but he brought that music to town anyway. Life is a little bit sadder now; for me, Cobourg and everyone who knew him..
So sorry for this was a kind and friendly soul R.I.P.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
He was someone who genuinely enjoyed conversation and hearing every side, A thoughtful presence and artistic soul. My condolences to his loved ones.
Ken was a great guy, the world needs more like him !
Ken was a wonderful light in the community. Very understanding and appreciative of people’s struggles and efforts. I’m grateful to have known him and will keep fond memories of the numerous and varied events he enriched the community with.
I attended many events at the loft, and Victoria Hall and always enjoyed a good chat with Ken. Such an interesting guy… I saw him just a few weeks ago when he attended a play I was performing in at The Firehall Theatre. He was a true lover and supporter of the arts. Such a great loss to our arts community. I hope he knew how loved he was. RIP Ken.
Ken was a great film and jazz fan. I had some of my best movie and jazz concert experiences at ‘The Loft’. It was a great spot for attracting like-minded community spirits interested in the arts. And boy Ken was just the best host. He welcomed Chester my dear black lab to attend events with me, even providing a water dish. Late one evening after he generously screened one of my films, and while walking home along the lake under a star filled sky, I realized that Ken’s loft was truly our community’s Cinema Paradiso. Thanks Ken, RIP David Acomba Film Director Founder, The Port Hope Jazz Festival
When I think of a local legend, I think of Ken. He was always there to champion a cultural movement or show up behind the scenes to turn on the lights. Ken was one of the first people who believed in my work and allowed me to host many of my first events. I learned a lot from Ken. It’s up to us to carry his momentum forward. My condolences to Ken’s family and friends.
Ken was a kind and thoughtful man, His interest in beautiful things and arts and life enriched the lives of those around him, we will miss him
What a wonderful legacy Ken has created for the community. He brought interesting films, directors, visual artists and musicians together, and left us all the richer for it. His loss will be felt by the many who enjoyed his company and shared his passions. I’m so sorry to lose you, Ken.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
Ken was one of my first friends in Cobourg, almost 10 years ago. The Loft was such a treasure, as was he.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Victoria Hall Volunteers
Kevin is a huge loss for Cobourg art and culture scene. I alway enjoyed and was looking forward to going to Loft for excellent films and concert. Rest in peace Ken.
So sorry for your loss. Ken was a terrific guy and so knowledgeable in the music and film genres. I particularly appreciate the affection and attention he gave my cat and dog on the numerous times he was pet sitting.
I have many great memories of concerts and films Ken presented at the Loft and Victoria Hall, including doing a concert at the Loft myself. I'll really miss his warm smile and presence and his passion for the arts, and all he did for the arts in this town. My deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Oh Ken, I'll miss seeing your face every morning. RIP
I met Ken when I was the teacher for TEAM, the school for pregnant high school students/young moms, when he owned the movie theatres at the mall. "The Hunger Games" series had just been adapted into the first movie release, and for many of our students, it was one of the first books they were reading by choice. After talking to Ken, he set up a special student showing (during the day on a school day), for an entry fee that no doubt made no money for him at all. It was also open to the rest of the school, and we were able to offer it to the TEAM students who finished the book before seeing the movie, at no cost. One of the best memories for so many of us ❤️
This is a great loss for the music lovers of this town. When I came to Cobourg, Ken was presenting Opera from the Met, Ballet from Govent Garden and live Concerts as well, Chamber Music, Piano Recitals. I loved this intimate Venue at the Loft. He was a very knowledgeable man in all the genres and you could always sense his passionate for music. We will miss you Ken💐
I will miss my talks and hugs with Ken. He gave me my first concert photography gig, and that experience formed a long lasting friendship. His passion for music and the arts will be missed, almost as much as his smile.. peaceful travels Ken xo
Ken loved people. Loved meaningful conversation. I so enjoyed my meandering conversations with Ken and the wisdom he would share. Ken loved to lift people up and show them what's possible through film, music and art. Some of my most favorite films I was introduced to through Ken. Ken and the gifts he shared will be missed by many including myself.
Hard to believe we will not see him in our Cobourg community again... speechless ... his contributions to the arts 🎭 world have been phenomenal. God rest your soul Ken Prue 🙏🙏 you will be remembered for decades to come 🙏😔🌾🌹
A community-builder and a fine person. He will be missed.
Santa Claus has left the building. A great light has been extinguished. Rip sweet Kenneth!
Tish and I give our condolences to Ken's family and to the many friends who have been touched by him. Frank and Tish
I am sorry to hear of his passing. I did two shows for him and really liked him very much. His heart was in the right place and he was passionate about what he did. RIP
Condolences to friends and family. Ken was so kind and supportive to present a show I did with Shane Cook and Joe Phillips in Cobourg.
Ken is a huge loss to Northumberland. He had a vision & will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family & may he RIP
My condolences to the family of their lost . I knew Ken , I used to go the loft when he was leading it for concerts that he was playing. He was very nice man to get along with . He will be missed .
Ken gave me a terrific boost when he volunteered to host the premiere of my musical performance, The Northwest Passage in Story and Song, at The Loft, with an all-star band created for the occasion (Saskia Tomkins, Sam Allison, Steafan Hannigan and Oisin Hannigan a.k.a. Uncharted Waters. Ken's reach and trust were essential, but his faith in the show was what really remains in my heart. He even agreed to stage additional events when the show sold out (three times!). Our success in Cobourg led to taking the show on the road, and I have now performed versions of the show across Canada and into the States for more than 10 years. Ken also promoted the launch of my CD, Northbound, at Victoria Hall. I always enjoyed his company -- even when he was struggling, he was a charming conversationalist with a wide-ranging mind and a unique perspective. His influence on the arts in our community is vast. Ken, we will really miss you. You were one of a kind.
He will be missed in this town❤️