Tributes to beloved broker Ken Burden
An admired, knowledgeable and exceptionally talented broker for over 50 years, Ken will be missed as much by his industry colleagues and friends as the many clients worldwide who he helped guide and support with such insight and caring for so long.
Fraser CEO Raphael Sauleau commented: “Ken has been an outstanding Broker and certainly played a great part in our company’s success. He will be remembered for his great spirit and kindness. Our hearts go out to his family at this time.”
some tributes from the industry
"I am so very sorry to hear this as Ken and I go back a long way, he helped me in my career and was always the perfect gentleman. R.I.P my friend."
Captain Mark O'Connell
"Ken was one of the first brokers I met when I came into Fraser in 2003 and he really helped me understand the often somewhat bizarre, industry we operate in. A lovely man and he will be missed."
Jonathan Pinder-White, Technical Director, Vulcan Inc
"I had the pleasure of meeting Ken a long time ago at the beginning of my yachting career and a couple of years later, I had the honor to have him as a colleague at Fraser Yachts. Ken was a true gentleman with a unique positive attitude to life which I will never forget. Our industry will definitely miss such a professional and such a true person."
Fabio Ermetto, Baglietto
"Ken has been a friend who believed in solidarity and had a strong belonging sentiment towards Fraser. I had him at my side for many years; he was surprising me for his drive and enthusiasm even if life has not been always generous with him. He was often coming up with out of the box ideas, sometimes a little crazy but often very interesting; he certainly was younger in his mind than his real age!
Goodbye Ken, safe sailing to you."
Carlo Agliardi, Former President, Fraser
"I had the pleasure to be at Fraser in 2014-2015 and meeting Ken in the US. He’s always been a lovely soul and a great professional. All my condolences to his family and to his Fraser family."
Eleonora Pitasso, Shipyard Relationship Co-ordinator & Sales Broker, Burgess
"After knowing him for so long in my 20 years as broker and many more in the yachting industry, he was always kind and helpful, I respected him totally and admired his knowledge and honesty."
Steve Ashford, CSO Yachts, Spain
And from Ken's Fraser family
"Ken was a very kind and caring man. He always talked about his wife Eppie, saying that he felt so privileged to have had such a wonderful marriage to the love of his life and that they both shared and knew more love than most people would probably ever know in a lifetime. He used to tell me to not let a single day go by without telling my husband and kids that I love them as it is so important. Ken created a special bond with the people he met. Even his clients ended up being true friends who really cared for him and vis versa. He used to talk about racing cars and getting up to no good with a particular client!
He used to call himself a true Montana boy and talked about wanting to go back to the open space and nature where the nearest neighbours were 200km away... Slightly different to Nice...He always used to talk about his days as a pilot, saying how he missed it so very much and just wanted to get back behind the controls and fly off again. It seems very strange to think that he will no longer be coming by the office calling out "Top of the morning" or "How are you Lassie?" I'll definitely remember him fondly. My biggest hope is that he has gone to find his wife; as he always used say that he couldn't wait for the day he would be back together with her again."
Elisabeth Keraudren, Sales Assistant
"I still cannot believe that not long ago that Ken was in the office with us. Ken has been an incredible example of endurance, for all of us in the office. Before all of this happened, he came to the office every single day. He would often reminisce about Montana, L'Aubarède in Mons (Var) and his deceased wife Eppie, who he loved and cared about very deeply.
I was almost convinced that Ken grew up in a ranch, as he kept speaking of Montana so much only to find out that he was raised in L.A! He always shared stories about his beloved ranch state and kept all of us entertained at the office. Ken also loved animals. In his 70s, he downsized the number of animals he had in his countryside home in Mons in the arrière-pays. We will miss you Ken and we are relieved to know that you have found Eppie in paradise."
Virginie Fombaron, Office Manager and Sales Assistant
"Ken a toujours été bienveillant avec moi et pendant longtemps il m’avait envoyé ses inénarrables plaisanteries."
Martine Camier
