The Story of Kenneth (Ken) Allan Lincoln
1950-2005

as told to us by
His Partner, Soul-Mate and Forever Love,
Carl W. W. Stymiest [Huggy Bear]

It was June 21st 1985, when Ken and I first met. I was so impressed with his genuine warm smile. That smile is engraved deeply upon my heart and etched in my mind. I know it will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Our courtship began that day and it wasn’t too long before we were madly in love. The following year, we were devastated with the news that Ken was HIV+, and we immediately began our search for knowledge and understanding.

Once over the initial shock of his diagnosis, we decided not to let it become a negative experience, but instead together vowed and promised each other to make the experience a positive journey towards spirituality.

That was our goal in 1986 and continued to be until Ken’s passing 05 October 2006. That promise, that goal is now my personal goal. Ken and I over the years have lovingly passed on this Spiritual Journey to our family and friends.

Under the tutelage and mentorship of our doctors, Ken begun his first AIDS treatment- AZT. The next 20 years would result into countless changes to his drug & cocktail regime; each time a new drug was added / changed, countless new side effects had to be dealt with and overcome.

The following is a poem fashioned during Ken’s Palliative Care at home. It expresses my feelings at the time before he died.

No, Is the Answer!

Am I ready for him to go beyond this vale of tears and woe?
Am I ready to say “good-bye,” to say, "Dear God, release his soul?"
My heart tells me it's better, for him to leave this life.
But my emotions are all tangled, and there's still a lot of strife.

Each day's a brand new journey, and the path is still unknown.
And Lord you've been beside us and I know that we have grown.
I've bathed and clothed and fed him; I've stood close to guide his feet.
And yes to be quite honest, there are days when I am beat.

And now I watch him daily, always with a broken heart.
This terrible disease and stroke has taken him apart.
The world, in which he's captive, is from the distant past.
And I can't help but wonder how much longer must it last?

Yes, I know it would be better, if God would take him Home.
But I have to face the question, Am I ready?
The answer, of course, is No!

A Short Biography of my Beloved Ken

Ken was a graduate of Burnaby North Senior Secondary (1968); after graduation; Ken worked in various capacities at the Rogers Pass Hotel. (1969-1970). Ken completed his training courses at BCIT in Data-Processing in 1982.

Ken, a great philanthropist during his lifetime, established the philosophy of "helping others" as a mandate for our shop, The Windsor Knot. He was also an active advocate, participant and volunteer with AIDS Vancouver (BCPWA) starting in 1999 as a Care Team Volunteer, as well devoting his energies and time with his partner, Carl in raising thousands of dollars for the Aids Walk in which they participated for the past 20 years.

Yearly recipients of The Windsor Knot, and Ken's philanthropic generosity is "Loving Spoonful", "Friends For Life", "Canadian Cancer Society- British Columbia & Yukon Division", "Children's Variety Club", "Hip Hip Hooray- Dept of UBC Orthopaedics", "Methanex's Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay for Kids", "Canadian Pacific- United Way Campaign", "MADD", "Lions Gate Palliative Care Hospital Foundation", "Trevor Linden-Cadillac Fairview Golf Invitational", "Canuck Place", "St. Paul's Hospital Foundation Christmas Lights of Hope Campaign", "St. Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Foundation", "Vancouver AIDS Memorial Society", "McLaren Housing Society", "BC Children's Hospital Foundation", and the "BC Neurofibromatosis Foundation", are to name but a few.

Ken's work related history started with his employment with the Canadian Pacific Railway Traffic & Transportation as a Transportation Clerk (1971-1972); from (1972-1973) Ken was employed in Vancouver as a Supervisor and Inventory Controller for Canadian Fishing Company Ltd. He joined Empire Stevedoring Co., Inc August, 1973 as Manager of Data Processing, continuing there until August of 1988, leaving his work to care for his ailing father. In 1989, after the death of his father, Ken, proved his entrepreneurial prowess by establishing three self-owned businesses, KAL .Management Co (financial business consultant), West Coast Gourmet (Salmon Retailer & Exporter) and last, but not least, his "pride and joy," of seventeen years, "The Windsor Knot Clothing Co Inc."

Friends came and shared with his family on Saturday 29 October 2005 in the Thanksgiving and Celebration of his Life at Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Burnaby, B.C. Cremation preceded the Celebration of Life. Following the service, friends and family had time to reflect Ken’s life at a Reception. Refreshments arranged by Joan Graham & Friends provided wonderful food and time to visit with the family.

The family took this opportunity to express heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Brian Willoughby, of Spectrum Health, the staff and nurses of Three Bridges Home Palliative Care Services, the Home Care Attendants from Community Home Support Services and the Red Cross Society for their loving attention and care for Ken.

Carl, Ken’s sister, Denise and family also expressed a very special Thank You to Ron Erhart for his endless hours of professional homecare, love, support and friendship, for his "Buddy" Ken, during his lengthy illness.

Ken was the type of man who never complained; always upbeat, friendly and willing to “give-a-hand” when needed.

Since Ken’s passing, Carl and the family have established a non-profit, charitable Society in Ken’s memory - the “Ken Lincoln Angels of Light Society”

The Vision of this new Memorial Society is to continue Ken’s philanthropic dream- “To support those who have terminal illness by enabling them to enjoy quality of life they so justly deserve through caring palliative support organizations, hospitals and other societies in kind. If you are interested in more information or membership into the KLALS, please do not hesitate to contact Carl at <cstymiest (at) gmail (dot) com>.

Please join us in honoring our loved one by visiting Ken’s Memorial website at www.mem.com. Type-in Ken Lincoln at the website address. We invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family. If passing the AIDS Memorial at Sunset Beach; stop by and say a little prayer for Ken.

Soul Mate Forever,
Your Huggy Bear, Carl

Ken Lincoln on the Memorial