Obituary of Ken Halward

July 29, 1952 – Toronto, Ontario

May 14, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Kenneth Edward Tye Halward (Ken) of Calgary, AB passed away peacefully and painlessly at the age of 69, with his daughters by his side on Saturday, May 14, 2022, after a brief but courageous fight with Stage 4 Melanoma, and from the complications that arose from the immunotherapy treatment.

Ken was born in Toronto, ON in 1952, but moved around due to his father’s career with the RCMP.  They later settled in Vancouver, and Ken graduated from UBC in Metallurgical Engineering in the late 70’s. It was then that he met Linda Ann Rooney, when they both worked at “The Big Scoop” Ice cream parlour.   They married in BC and moved to Alberta, where Ken would switch his career path to Oil & Gas Engineering, with a focus in Reservoir / Exploration.

Ken worked for companies such as Esso and Saskoil, in the early years, with focuses on the Western Canadian Basin, but then fell in love with International Operations in South America, Libya, and the UK, and spent the last half of his forty-five-year career at Oilexco and Canadian Overseas Petroleum, where he was the Manager of Reservoir Development, up until his last days. Ken loved his career, his coworkers, and the company he worked for, so retirement wasn’t in his thoughts. He would often say “As long as they still want me there, I might as well keep working!”. He was proud of his P.Eng status and his Engineer pinky ring, which he wore every day since he graduated University.

Ken’s hobbies included anything with technology or sports.  He loved photography, videography, computers, home theatre and sound systems.  He never missed a Blue Jays Game, and if they weren’t playing, he would settle for any baseball game.  He also loved his hockey, and the Edmonton Oilers.  Ken had that dry sense of humour, with a tough exterior but would give the shirt off his back for his family, friends, and work.  It is for this reason, that he will be extremely missed by everyone who knew him. 

Ken is survived by his daughters, Terri (Keelan) Sharp, and Erin (Clayton) Kraatz; his grandchildren, Riley, Owen, Tatum, and Josh; his two sisters, Carolyn (Al) Bamsey, and Valerie Bindon; as well as all his nieces and nephews, and not to forget his precious and very spoiled British Shorthair Cat named Lord Percival (Percy for short), whom he loved more than anything in the world.

Ken was predeceased by his loving wife, Linda in 2014.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing nurses in the Foothills ICU, who worked tirelessly to make Ken comfortable during his last days. They were compassionate, caring, and deserve the utmost recognition for what they do on a daily basis.

A private cremation service will be held for close family at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home (Deerfoot South, 12281 40^th Street SE, Calgary, AB) and a Celebration of Life will be held in June for family, coworkers, business colleagues, and friends, who wish to attend.  A firm time and date to be announced. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Ken and Linda Halward, a tree for each of them 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.