Obituary of Kenneth Thomas James Kirk

July 15, 1942 – St. Paul, Alberta

January 13, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Kenneth Thomas James Kirk passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the age of 79 years.

He leaves behind many loved ones, including his three children with late wife Laurie Kirk, Lee Kirk, Michelle Russell and Jackie Kirk. He also leaves behind his eight grandchildren, Joelle (Cam), and Cody; Danielle (Wyatt) Sydney (Caleb); and Robin and Brittany (Kris) Jessica (Josh) Nicholas, and Paige. Nicholas has been his support the last couple of weeks of his life and gave our entire family great comfort in knowing he was being cared for, loved and supported. Ken was also blessed with many great-grandchildren including, Dana Belle, Eva, Noah, Theodore and Eleanor. Ken loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly and they loved him right back.

Ken was predeceased by his mother, Pauline Kirk and his father, Tom Kirk, of whom started this incredible family. Ken leaves behind seven wonderful siblings that to this day, talk with each other daily. He was truly blessed to belong to such an amazing family, they are one of a kind. He will be missed immensely by each one of them. Ken also had many nieces and nephews that he adored; they too are going to miss him greatly.

Ken took on many of his parent’s traits and his children were lucky enough to benefit from them. He was loving, kind, supportive, caring, hardworking, and the most optimistic of people. Ken battled his way through stage four laryngeal cancer, heart bypass surgery and kidney disease, all with the most positive of attitudes. He whistled his way through it all. He was and will always be something and someone to look up to.

Ken had many joys in life, amongst them were gardening, cooking, baking, camping, fishing, bird watching and really, any time spent outdoors. So many wonderful family memories were made out camping. His gardens were worthy of belonging on the cover of gardening magazines, and he took such pride in them. His fishing trips out on Uncle Harry’s boat were amongst some of his favorite times.

He also had a wonderful family in his life that he spent many years with, Sharon Mathias, Darcy Mathias, Debora Mathias and Trevor Mathias (Allison), Sophie, Henry, and Oliver, Connor, Grace, and Anna. They all brought him much joy and happiness and he will be missed greatly by them.

Ken valued community work and volunteering anywhere that was needed. He provided hours of service to many different projects in his hometown Longview, AB. He played a big part in building the memorial garden at the town office and the planting and care of all planters along the highway through town. At the annual Christmas dinner, he participated in the preparation and much of the cooking. He baked and baked for any charity bake sales, even when he wasn’t feeling well. He was sure to always support any charities around him and did so whole heartedly. He included his grandchildren and gave them many wonderful memories of volunteering and taught them the value of giving one’s time. His work ethic was one not to be beat. He loved and was passionate about his work as a Heavy-Duty Mechanic.

Ken will be missed terribly, but will be remembered and honored by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be with them in all that they do. He was the best Dad and Grandpa anyone could ask for; we were all blessed to have had him.

We would also like to thank the wonderful staff at the South Health Campus. The strain they are under is enormous and the level of effort and caring put forth on their part has been so appreciated by our family. Through hard times in life, kind people make all the difference, and we encountered many kind people and will be forever grateful. We find relief in knowing that he is no longer suffering nor struggling, and finally he is at peace.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Kenneth Kirk, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.