Obituary of Leslie Les KISH

May 11, 1947 – September 20, 2013 It is with great sadness that the family of Les Kish announces his sudden passing after completing a successful day of fishing on the Old Man River. Les is survived by his wife Jeanette of forty-four years; his daughter Laraine (Gavin); grandson Wilder; son Colin (Alison); brother George (Pat); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Andrew and his parents, Leslie and Kathleen Kish. Les was born in Rumince, Czechoslovakia and immigrated to Canada in 1949 with his mother and father, settling on a farm north of Cupar, Saskatchewan. Les attended both the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology in 1970. He then moved to Calgary where he started his career at Tenneco Oil and Gas. He later worked for Sundance Exploration and Kissinger Petroleum. Les joined Cimarron Petroleum Ltd in 1983 and remained there until its sale in 1997, working as Vice President of Exploration. Les was personally responsible for sizable discoveries such as the Nisku at Bashaw and Glauconite at Hays, in addition to mentoring his staff of geologists. Les then took some time off to recharge his batteries and later helped start Standard Oil and Gas where he worked until he officially retired a few years ago. His reputation as a top oil finder and his willingness to help anyone, whether in business or in personal life, was well known. Les was a kind hearted and caring husband, father and grandfather. He cherished his family and was always proud of them. He dearly loved spending a day fishing with his son Colin or riding and hiking with his daughter Laraine or talking shop with her. While Les was not a gardener, he was always willing to help Jeanette with some of the harder tasks in her vegetable and flower gardens. Most recently, he enjoyed spending quality time with his grandson Wilder, such as reading stories and doing puzzles with him, playing trains, camping, and taking walks in the bush with him. Les was passionate about the outdoors and loved the land. He would either have been a geologist or a farmer. He loved to hunt and pack a camp into the wilderness on horseback, never forgetting his fly rod. He rode numerous mountain trails on his own and with the Ridge Riders Club. More recently, he focused his time fishing the Bow River and southern mountain streams. It was always a good day for fishing. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 781-1978, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Les Kish, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.