RODZINYAK, Kenneth James

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KENNETH JAMES RODZINYAK

Jun. 17, 1961 – Nov. 25, 2021

Kenneth J. Rodzinyak passed away suddenly, surrounded by loved ones, at the Ottawa Heart Institute on Thursday, November 25, 2021, at the age of 60.

Kenn is survived by his wife Angela, his daughters, Kristyn, Daphne (Murray) and Celina (Morgan); his siblings, Peggy, Bob (Esther), Tim (Ronalda), Janet (Tim), Dori, and Zan (Scott); and his brothers-in-law, Karl (Jenny), Roland (Elaine), and Lothar. Kenn also leaves behind many extended family members and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Muriel Rodzinyak, and his in-laws, Albert and Elsa Schmidt.

Kenn was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on June 17, 1961. He spent his early years playing sports, exploring the coulees, and running around being mischievous. He showed leadership qualities at a young age as captain of several sports teams and president of the student council at Catholic Central High School. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979 and graduated from the Royal Military College (RMC) of Canada in 1983. A year later, he married his beloved wife, Angela.

During his 35+ year career with the Canadian Armed Forces, Kenn accumulated nearly 4,000 flight hours as a maritime navigator, had the privilege of commanding at the crew, flight and unit levels, completed operational and instructional flying tours on the east and west coasts of Canada, served out-of-country in Germany and the United States, and completed several staff tours. He was sponsored for post-graduate education at RMC (Master’s degree in War Studies – Space Law and Policy) and the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. These educational experiences proved to be a turning point in his career, taking him down the path as a space operator and a member of the burgeoning Royal Canadian Air Force Space Cadre. He retired from the Regular Force in 2014, but continued to work as a reservist and became the Director Space Strategic Plans Force Generation Officer.

Kenn was devoted to his family and found pride in supporting his wife and daughters in their own pursuits. He often found very normal, but profound ways to bring out the best in each person and situation.

A Celebration of Kenn’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 1:00 P.M.