Obituary of McCREADY – Kenneth Frank

October 9, 1939 – July 30, 2011 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth Frank McCready, at the age of 71 years, on Saturday, July 30, 2011 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Ken will be remembered as a kind, generous and patient man with a big heart and a winning smile. He believed in people and loved to encourage and nurture them. He was a wonderful husband and loved all of his children and grandchildren very much. He truly was a great human being, and we will all miss him so much. Ken was born in Edmonton, AB on October 9, 1939. He was predeceased by his father Ralph, and mother Lillian. Ken will be sadly missed by his wife and best friend, Brenda, his stepchildren Holly and Kyle; his children, John (Zoe), Janet (Brad Keys), Brian (Renee), and their mother Margaret McCready; grandchildren, Alex, Jack, Will, Jamie and Claire, sister, Mary Hislop, brothers, Stuart (Shirley), and Ralph. Ken earned his BSc in Electrical Engineering in 1963 from The University of Alberta. He built an outstanding career focused on conventional and alternative energy. Ken was CEO and President of TransAlta Corporation from 1989 to 1996. During that time Ken was asked by the provincial government of Alberta to chair the Alberta Round Table on the Environment and Economy, one of the first multi-stakeholder groups that included senior business, government and environmental stakeholders. The vision of the Round Table was considered innovative and progressive and allowed Ken to position TransAlta and other companies that he was associated with during his career well ahead of their peers. During this time, Ken also sat on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and he worked closely with Stephan Schmidheiny in the development of the book “Changing Course” which was presented during the Earth Summit Conference on Climate Change in 1992. Ken’s vision of the need to bring together environmental, economic and social factors in major decisions was a major influence in his belief that innovation, openness to change and investment in technology would significantly improve our economic and environmental well-being. He took his views to the many boards that he served on and investments that he made including: Encana Corporation; ABB Environmental Advisory Board – Zurich; Computer Modelling Group; Senior Policy Advisor – Energy Council of Canada; Member – Business Council for Sustainable Development; Nexterra Energy Corp; Chair, Naikun Wind Energy Group; Chair – Minister of Natural Resources Canada’s Advisory Board on Energy Science and Technology. After retirement Ken continued to be involved in the energy industry as president of K.F. McCready & Associates. He was a member of the Ranchmen’s Club and APPEGA. He received many awards including the 1993 Emerald Award For Individual Leadership In The Business Community. The Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada was conferred upon Ken, by the Governor General of Canada, in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada. Ken worked to progress the success of all the companies he worked with right up until the end of his life. He will be missed for his council, depth, vision and friendship by his many business colleagues. Special thanks to Dr Victor Sainz Rocha, of Bucerias, Mexico, who became Ken’s best amigo & guardian angel. Also a special thanks to our Mexican neighbours, Tom Rubel & Candace Tisch who were always there to help. A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. Please forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com In living memory of Kenneth McCready, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.