At the age of 81, on Sunday, December 17, 2023, Wayne Nelson Kipp passed away peacefully in Meaford Hospital surrounded by family, after a short hospitalization following years of managing gradually increasing degenerative health conditions.
Son of the late Nelson and Clare Kipp of Brantford, Ontario, Wayne was the loving husband of Marylyn (nee Thurston), proud father of Cynthia Kipp (Robert Sawyer) and Cathy Kipp (Martin Tamlyn). Devoted grandfather of Silas, Orrin, and Kezia Tamlyn and Lexie Sawyer. Close brother of Bruce Kipp (Pam). Brother-in-law to Gordon Thurston (Charlene), Ann McKay (Gary), and Kate Heron (late Bob). Kind uncle and great-uncle to six nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and great-nephews.
An athletic and good-humoured young man, Wayne grew up in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Brantford. He graduated from the University of Toronto as a pharmacist through the Regular Officer Training Program of the Canadian Army. In 1968 Wayne was posted to Germany where he and Marylyn had their first child. In 1971 they returned to civilian life in Brantford, Ontario, where Wayne joined Cowell Pharmacy, and his second child was born. By 1979 the call of Georgian Bay enticed him with sailing and skiing, prompting the Kipps to relocate first to Thornbury, then to Meaford, where they became half-owners of Muxlow Pharmacy and Kipp’s gift shop. Wayne was a friendly face behind the counter at Muxlow’s, where he was a respected colleague, employer and co-worker until his retirement in 2003.
Wayne’s altruism and community service was a constant theme in his life. He was a member of the Thornbury and Meaford Rotary clubs, serving several times as president, and was always an avid volunteer at Rotary events and functions in town. He was a huge supporter of the Rotary International Youth Exchange program, and Wayne and Marylyn were host parents to 13 exchange students over the years, building a global family that shaped his travels and relationships, visiting six of the seven continents throughout his life. He was selected to be leader of a Rotary Group Study Exchange to Taiwan, and was recognized by Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a Life Member of the Meaford Hospital Auxiliary, and in 2017 received the Peter Francis Memorial award from the Meaford Chamber of Commerce for exemplary volunteering in the community.
Always enlivened by outdoor activities, Wayne enjoyed hiking, sailing, tennis, skiing, windsurfing, and kayaking. He was also a long-standing member of the Meaford Curling Club, and the Fellowship of Curling Rotarians.
Wayne’s many interests included cars, music, reading, world cultures, science, trivia, and sports. He was a steadfast supporter of his Toronto teams, the Leafs and the Jays.
Wayne’s family and friends knew him as a caring, helpful, gentle, humorous soul with a heart of gold and only kind words for everyone. He was adventurous, knowledgeable, patient, and reliable, contributing to his children’s and grandchildren’s success with inspiration, generosity, encouragement, and moral support.
Wayne will be fondly remembered by the communities he embraced, and dearly missed by all those who loved him.
A visitation will be held at the Ferguson Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will follow the next day on Friday, December 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Meaford and St. Vincent Community Centre with tributes beginning at 3 o’clock.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Hospital Auxiliary (cheques only) or the Rotary Club of Meaford Charitable Trust (cheques only) would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
