Cumberland Council has paid tribute to a long-serving staff member, Ken Bruce.
Ken's journey with the council began in 2000 when he dedicated his talents and skills to serving the community for many years. Unfortunately, Ken passed away during the challenging period of lockdown.
The Highways teams could not attend the funeral, because of the restrictions at the time. To pay their respects, they frequently visited the crematorium with some of the vehicles that Ken, a member of the Highways team, used to drive. These visits served as a way for the team to honour Ken's memory and offer their support to his family during such a difficult time.
After meeting some of the team members at the crematorium Nic, Ken’s daughter contacted Karl Melville the Assistant Director of Highways and Transport, to thank the team for all their kind messages, well wishes and taking the time to visit the crematorium.
The team made a collective decision to honour Ken's dedicated years of service by placing an art sketch of a chainsaw on an out-of-hours response vehicle. The out-of-hours response role had been Ken's area of work for a significant period, and the team believed that incorporating one of Ken's favourite tools, the chainsaw would serve as a fitting tribute.
Karl Melville, Assistant Director of Highways and Transport, said:
“Ken was an integral member of the Highways team, contributing significantly to the success and reputation of the department. His dedication, expertise, and work ethic made him highly respected among his colleagues. Even though he is no longer with us, Ken's impact and influence continue to be felt in numerous conversations regarding his accomplishments and the valuable insights he would have provided.
“It is evident that Ken's absence is deeply felt by many, and this tribute is the very least we can do to honour him.”
Nic Grierson, Ken’s daughter, said:
“This is a perfect tribute to an amazing man. It is lovely to hear that he has touched so many hearts and has not been forgotten. I cannot thank the council enough for doing this.”