If you didn’t know Ken Quon personally, chances are you knew him by sight. As a long-time manager for IGA Marketplace he was the smiling face keeping a busy store running smoothly. As a mountain biker, he was a familiar fixture in Loonie Races, and helped to guide the Wild Willies Monday night rides to share his love and enthusiasm for the sport.
His sudden death on Sept. 5 as the result of an undetected congenital heart problem came as a huge shock to everyone who knew him as an energetic, athletic and youthful person who didn’t resemble his 47 years.
Quon was guiding a Wild Willies ride when he fell over on the Lost Lake trail. Members of his group attempted first aid and paramedics were on the scene within minutes, but Quon could not be resuscitated.
On Monday the Wild Willies ride was held as a memorial to Quon, and approximately 300 riders came out to pay their respects.
His funeral was held on Wednesday in Vancouver, attended by an estimated 500 people. At both events his family was impressed that he had so many friends and such an impact on his community.
There will be a celebration of Quon’s life on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Crystal Lodge, hosted by IGA owners Jim and Cynthia Chan. Friends are invited to drop by between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to remember Quon and say goodbye.
