Kenneth Wayne Kavanaugh
March 22nd, 2022
Kavanaugh, Kenneth Wayne
February 12, 1942 - March 22, 2022
The family of Ken Kavanaugh is deeply saddened to announce his passing on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 in the Agape Hospice. Ken was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Ken was born February 12, 1942 in Edmonton and was raised on a farm in Innisfree, Alberta. After graduating high school, Ken worked in a meat packing plant and later on a commercial fishing boat. During one of his trips out of the north, Ken was in Calgary where someone suggested he join the Calgary Police Service. Ken decided that did not sound so bad, wrote the exam, and the rest is history.
Ken joined the Calgary Police Service February 4, 1963 and rose through the ranks until retiring as Superintendent of Operations on April 27, 1996. During his policing career, Ken took great pride in giving back to the community and was involved with Woods Homes and the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter serving on the board of directors for both. Ken was also a long time member of the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee and served as President of the North Hill Curling Club.
In 1965, Ken met the love of his life, Grace. They were married after a short courtship and celebrated 56 years of marriage last July. They had 2 children, Kelly and Cory, and 4 dearly loved grandchildren. The family spent many years camping and boating. Summers were spent on Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho where Ken was always the boat driver, spending hours pulling the kids and grandkids behind the boat. Ken and Grace spent time during the winter in Yuma, Arizona making many good friends. They played many games of cards, golfed, and were able to take several cruises. Ken was an avid curler who loved any sport his children or grandchildren played. Ken could always be found in the stands of a hockey rink or on the sidelines of a soccer field in his shorts cheering on the kids.
Besides his loving wife, Ken is survived by his two children Kelly (David) and Cory (Eva) and his grandchildren Brendan, Justin, Kennedy, Ashley, and Sebastian. He is also lovingly remembered by his sisters Karen and Chaddy (George), brother Doug (Mollyo), sister-in-laws Gail and Wendy, and many nieces and nephews. Ken will be fondly remembered by many good friends who knew him as a gentle giant and someone who gave the best bear hugs.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s memory to Agape Hospice at 1302 8th Ave NW Calgary, Alberta T2N 1B8 or online at canadahelps.org. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Saturday April 9, 2022 at 1:00 at the Cuff and Billy Social Club located at 100, 3730 Westwinds Drive NE Calgary where we will raise a glass and share some stories. As requested by Ken, please show up in shorts and share one final drink with him.
Messages:
Dear Grace & family. We are so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. We have wonderful memories from many years ago. Rose & family
Grace, Cory, Kelly and families- please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Ken’s friendship with Dale span decades of good times. He will be deeply missed by many.
Dear Grace & family, I’m so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. Glad you have your family to support you at this difficult time. You all have wonderful memories to remember the good times. Bonnie Ingeberg.
Heartfelt condolences for your loss. May all the good memories bring comfort & peace. You & your family are in our thoughts.
On behalf of the Stampede Parade Committee, I would like to express our condolences to Grace and the family. Ken always had a can do attitude and was always willing to help out where ever needed. Those of us that are still on the committee that knew Ken have great memories. He will be missed by all that new him.
Dear Cory and the family, We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Your Father was a one-of-a-kind person who lived a truly remarkable life. The love your Father had for you and your family is something that can never be taken away. May the peace that comes from the memories of your Father’s legacy comfort you in the days ahead.
Dear Grace, I am so sorry to hear the news about Ken's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Lots of Love, Marion Luft
Our deepest condolences, keep the memories close to your heart
My dear Grace,I am so sorry to hear of Ken's passing. I know how hard this is for family but as time goes on, it gets better. You have your family to support you which means so much. I willbe praying for you and family. God Bless. Love Carol.
Gracie, Kelly, Cory and family. We were saddened at hearing of Ken’s passing. Although we haven’t seen one another for years, our memories go way back to days in Winnipeg when Ken and you would visit Gracie. Those were cherished times with the crazy “Merner” clan. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Love and hugs Judy and Joe
Grace, Kelly, Cory and families, Although a loss so profound is hard at the time and space of the present, May all the wonderful memories of your Husband, Father and Grandfather sustain you now and for all the years going forward. Thoughts and prayers are with you all now and always. Carole Bouchard-Langlois
Grace and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Ken had such a warm, caring personality. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Dear Grace, Kelly, Cory, and all who mourn the loss of Ken, Although I did not know Ken well, I understand the extreme pain of loss of a loved one. Ken was definitely a gentleman with a kind heart. It is wonderful to know you have many memories of happy times spent together to cherish, and to soften and enrich your coming days. I am so glad I met Ken and Grace in Yuma, a happy place for them, and a better Westwind for all of us because of them. Sincere condolences, Patty Atkinson
So sorry for your loss, I know all the wonderful memories will help you get through. Take care of each other and God bless you all.
I am so very sorry to here of Ken’s passing my deepest condolences to all of the family. I have very happy memories of camping with the family and playing with Kelly when we were kids. I thank you Grace for both you and Ken coming to my dads memorial years ago. Hugs and prayers to your entire family. Ken will be missed.