Obituary of Kenneth Romanchuk

After a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, Ken passed away peacefully on Friday, September 21, 2007 at the Foothills Medical Centre at the age of 57 years. Ken was born in Calgary and attended Viscount Bennett High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary in 1973 and became a Professional Engineer in 1976. He began his career in Corpus Christi, Texas working for ARCO in 1973. Ken moved back to Calgary in 1974 and worked for ARCO and Petro-Canada until 1981. Ken and Larraine were married in 1976 and they enjoyed a life filled with skiing, hiking, camping and going to the Calgary Flames hockey games. He also coached Bantam Football for six years, was an executive member of the Alberta Amateur Football Association and was awarded the Gary Hobson Memorial Trophy in 1980. In 1981 he accepted a position with SANTOS, an Australian owned oil company, and worked for that company until 1985. The years spent in Adelaide, South Australia, started his passion for golf, wine appreciation and traveling extensively throughout the country. He was a founding executive member of the Australian Oilman’s Golf Association and also enjoyed thoroughbred horse racing events. In 1985, Ken moved back to Calgary and consulted for a number of years for various companies and in 1993 he started Global Petroleum Marketing Inc. He was a member of The Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia, APPEGA, The Petroleum Society-CIM, Canadian Gas Association and the American Gas Association. In his leisure time, he spent many enjoyable evenings going to the Flames and Stampeders games and vacationing to the States on golf holidays. He joined Bearspaw Golf and Country Club in 1985 and was very active in the men’s club. He had a joy for living, and cherished his friendships and valued all his business associates. Ken was not only a devoted, loving husband but also best friend to Larraine and a wonderful father to Evyan. The last few years were spent enjoying life together with friends and family and traveling. Ken will be sadly missed by his loving wife Larraine, daughter and son-in-law Evyan and Fred Jarrett of Adelaide, Australia and by his mother Helen Romanchuk of Creston, BC. He will also be remembered by his brothers and sister-in law Gord Romanchuk and Debra Dickson of White Rock BC., Don Romanchuk of Calgary, AB and sister and brother-in-law, Kate and Peter Madeloso. Ken will also be fondly remembered by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Vikki Vettese and Roy Phillips of Gabriola, BC and by two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul and Mercedes Vettese of Calgary, AB and Brad and Lenda Vettese of Los Angeles, California, CA and by his uncles, numerous nieces and a nephew. Ken was predeceased by his father John in 1989. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 2:30.p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made directly to the Forzani Group Foundation, 824, 41 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 3R3, donations made payable to FGL Foundation – New Colorectal Screening Centre Telephone: (403) 717-1358, email: foundation@forzani.com. All donations received will go towards the new Colorectal Screening Centre at the Foothills Medical Centre. The family wishes to thank Dr. Scot Dowden, the nurses from the Tom Baker Cancer Center, Unit 46, and The Cochrane Community Health Centre for all their kindness and concern throughout his illness. In living memory of Ken Romanchuk, 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.