Kenneth Calvin Schinkel

November 27, 1932 - November 20, 2020

Kenneth C. Schinkel, 87, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020 at his home in Fort Myers, Florida. He was born November 27, 1932 in Jansen, Saskatchewan, Canada, a son of the late Charlie and Hilda (Torwalt) Schinkel. Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley and siblings, Dick and Judy. Family include his children, Kenneth (Carol) Schinkel of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, Karen (Michael) Degler of Fort Myers, Florida, Steven (Helen) Schinkel of Raleigh, North Carolina; siblings, Ruben (Rita) Schinkel of Fergus, Ontario, Canada, Myra (Lawrence) Moyer of Vineland, Ontario, Canada, David (Richard) Schinkel of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Ricky (Margaret) Schinkel of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; grandchildren, Tyler, Kyle (Christine), Samantha (Ben), Lucas, Troy, Riley, Clement, Spencer (Riley); great grandchildren Baxden and Charles. In 1951, Ken played junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey Association before being signed by the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League (1953) where he would start his professional hockey career. Between 1953 and 1967 he played in the American Hockey League and with the NHL’s New York Rangers. When the NHL expanded in 1967, Ken was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He stayed with the Penguins franchise as a player (right winger - two time NHL All Star Selection) and Head Coach. After stepping down from coaching, he held a variety of front office positions including Assistant General Manager and Scouting Director before joining the Hartford Whalers in 1989. Ken’s passion for hockey continued following his retirement playing recreational hockey well into his 70’s. Ken also served as color commentator for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL for several years and hosted many youth hockey camps. One of his great joys came from coaching his grandsons. He was a lifelong avid golfer who also enjoyed fishing and gardening (and cookies). A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020 at 12:00pm EST at Estero United Methodist Church, 8088 Lord’s Way, Estero, FL 33928 and will be live streamed at https://vimeo.com/484465407 for those who cannot attend. The Schinkel family will be holding a Celebration of Life, when it is safe to travel for everyone. Because of Ken's passion for introducing children to hockey, the family requests donations be made in his honor to the Junior Everblades Hockey Association. Donations may be mailed to: Junior Everblades Hockey Association, C/O Ken Schinkel Scholarship Foundation, 20301 Grande Oaks Blvd, Suite 118, PMB#74, Estero FL 33928 or via website: www.jreverblades.org where a link is provided for donations. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.