Obituary of Kenneth (Pivot) Douglas CAIRNS

April 1, 1941 – Turner Valley, Alberta
July 5, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of Kenneth Douglas Cairns on Monday, July  5, 2021, Ken was the  adored and cherished husband of Paula Donnelly. Ken has taken the last ride into the sunset of his beautiful life.

Ken was born in Turner Valley, Alberta, the only child of Ethel Martinson and Douglas Cairns. Ken attended Crescent Heights High School, and was accepted at Colorado College on a hockey scholarship where Ken met and married his first wife, Nancy (deceased). The couple returned to Calgary and Ken was off to UBC to play for the UBC Thunderbirds; from there the couple went to Klagenfurt, Austria following his hockey dream, returning to Calgary a year later to play for the Calgary Spurs, followed by the Calgary Stampeders (hockey). Ken continued to play hockey throughout his life until his Parkinson’s disease prohibited. Ken was an active member and sponsor of Calgary Oldtimers Hockey Association.

Ken approached life with an athlete’s sensibility: the importance of working together, in sharing in life’s highs and lows. He didn’t shy away from a challenge, whether coaxing his young daughters on a bike trip to Idaho, driving cattle across the prairies, wrestling a record-breaking marlin off the coast of New Zealand, negotiating deals in the boardrooms, or signing up for ground-breaking therapies for his Parkinson’s disease that he battled for twenty-three years, like a champion.

Ken had a long and illustrious successful career in Calgary as a Petroleum Landman and was past president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen. Ken was an active member of several committees involved with the Calgary Stampede receiving a Lifetime Membership award.

Ken loved our winter home in Palm Desert, California where he was able to re-unite with some of his high school, college and oil and gas friends. We were able to travel extensively visiting North America coast to coast, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, most of Europe, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Africa. We entertained and we were entertained, we have beautiful families and grandchildren. We golfed, skied, cycled, cruised, fished…we did it all…we just didn’t get to do it long enough.

Ken celebrated his 80th birthday this year and one week later was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Ken will be remembered by all who knew him for his unfailing gentlemanly character, his kindness, his generosity, his encouragement to others, his sensitivity: his thoughtfulness to others had no limitations. Ken was highly respected by all who had the good fortune to know him. Ken lived a life of integrity, selflessness always putting others before himself. While unassuming, Ken was a keen observer of human nature, very perceptive and insightful. Ken had a quiet persistent charm.

Kens incredible kindness and generosity will be forever cherished and loved by his wife Paula, his daughter Jill, his daughter Wynne and husband Kyle Blocksom, his stepdaughter Jennifer and husband Ray Paiement, his stepson Jay and wife Mandy Billesberger, and his seven adoring grandchildren, Bea and Gray Blocksom, Madison, Cole and Brynn Paiement, and Cline and Bridget Billesberger. Ken has several cherished cousins in Alberta and BC. Ken loved his entire family.

Ken was predeceased by his first wife Nancy and his parents Ethel and Doug.

Should’ve been a Cowboy
I should’ve learned to rope and ride
Wearing’ my six-shooter ridin’ my pony on a
cattle drive
Stealin’ the young girls hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singing’ those campfire songs

To honour Ken, go for a long walk, eat that extra cookie, cheer loudly for the great shot, or watch the sun set with someone you love.  

A Private Family Service will be held. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ken’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

Ken’s family is extremely grateful to Cochrane Home Care and Agape Hospice who provided exceptional care through this journey along with Dr. Anna Tomanek our family physician.

In living memory of Kenneth Cairns, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
 

View Kenneth Cairns' Memorial Card Here