Ken Giles, reporter and Sports Hall of Fame founder in Brampton, dead at 89
Published November 7, 2024 at 6:50 pm
Ken Giles, the namesake of a Brampton Recreation Centre and a founding member of the city’s Sports Hall of Fame, has died at age 89.
Giles had a love of sports that started as a child but he was unable to participate as he suffered from cerebral palsy.
That diagnosis kept him from playing lacrosse as a kid but he still got involved in the game as a reporter at Brampton High School, where he covered the school teams for the local newspaper.
After graduation he went on to work for the Peel Gazette, Brampton Conservator, Brampton Times, and as the sports editor with the Brampton Guardian.
“Ken was an old school journalist that attended games and events, before writing his newspaper articles he would attend the games, taking detailed information about the event,” his obituary reads.
Giles was active in community sports refereeing lacrosse and basketball games, and even went on to call Junior A and Major Senior Lacrosse games.
A founding member of the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame, Giles was an active member of the selection committee up until his death and was himself inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
In 1975 he received the Media Recognition Award and the city named the Ken Giles Recreation Centre in his honour in 1980.
He was involved with Brampton Lions Atom Hockey Tournament from its inaugural 1960 series up until its 25th tournament in 1985.
During his 16-year career as a sports editor The Guardian’s sports section won both provincial and national awards.
Visitation will be held at the Ward Funeral Home (Brampton Chapel) 52 Main Street, South Brampton on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 11:00-1:00 p.m. Service to follow at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m.
Interment at Brampton cemetery overlooking the site of the old Brampton High School where he began his sports casting.
A ceremony honouring Giles will be held at the Ward Funeral Home in Brampton on Nov. 12 with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a service to follow at the funeral home.
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