It is with great sadness that the Varsity Blues program announces the passing of beloved fencing coach Ken Wood. After a short battle with cancer, Ken passed away quietly and without pain in his home in Hamilton on Saturday, March 27, 2010. He is survived by his partner, Yoko Ode, his family and the hundreds of fencers he has touched and inspired throughout his illustrious career.
For over forty years, Ken Wood has been an influential member of the Ontario university fencing community. A World War II veteran, Ken is believed to one of a few individuals in the world to have received Maître d'Armes distinction (the top level for fencing coaches) in three countries; Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.
As the University of Toronto’s fencing coach, Ken has taught, mentored and led thousands of student-athletes in training and competitions, earning a countless number of individual awards and team banners. He has also been the head instructor in fencing instructional classes for University of Toronto students and community, often introducing the participants to the sport of fencing.
On the national stage, Ken was the head coach of the Canadian women’s foil team, head coach of the 1971 Canadian Pan-American Games fencing team and also been the head of the fencing masters academy.
Ken's Varsity Blues teams dominated the eighties, winning eight Ontario university titles. In fact, in 1980-81 he led four teams to Ontario titles, men’s and women’s tennis and fencing, a feat matched only by one other coach in the rich history of University of Toronto intercollegiate athletics.
For all the awards, the biggest impact Ken made was his relationships with the student-athletes. What is most impressive is that he nurtured these athletes within the context of an educational-focused institution of higher-learning, pushing those he worked with to their full potential both academically and athletically. His lessons helped form the transferable skills that his former student-athletes now use in their everyday lives.
For his dedicated service to both the University of Toronto and Ontario university communities, Ken was the recipient of some very well deserved accolades. In 1985, he was honoured with the Thomas R. Loudon award for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of university athletics at the University of Toronto. In 2000, the Ontario Universities Association women’s individual champion in foil trophy was named The Maître Ken Wood Trophy, and in 2002, Ken was inducted in the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame.
Perhaps the most fitting gesture to Ken’s impact on the university fencing scene was this year, where all of the institutions participating at a qualifying tournament came together and performed a “Grande Salute” in honour of him.
A gathering to celebrate his life will be held at the University of Toronto’s Hart House on April 17th, 2010. Those who wish to share their memories of the Maître and say a final farewell, please contact Thomas Nguyen at thomas.nguyen@utoronto.ca
