Kenneth Michael Gutierrez

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Kenneth “Ken” Gutierrez, beloved husband of Patricia “Pat” Gutierrez, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the age of 77 years.

Ken was a much-loved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He was an expat, world traveller, volunteer, golfer, curler, painter, and the biggest fan at his grandkids’ hockey, baseball, and soccer games. Those who knew Ken best will remember his sense of humour, his laughter, and his love of conversation. He liked nothing more than to sit down with a coffee (or a glass of red wine), and to just talk.

This love of conversation opened so many doors for him. He graduated from the University of Alberta, married Pat in 1970, moved from Edmonton to Calgary, and earned his CA designation. During those first years of work and married life, he and Pat took long, hot summer trips to Europe, they honeymooned in Vancouver, and they took their first of many (MANY) trips to Hawaii. With his CA in hand, Ken joined Nova Chemicals where he was able to merge (ha!) his love of travel with his professional life. Over almost three decades across multiple roles and work that took him all over the world, he and Pat eventually settled into a longer stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Even with a new base in the southern hemisphere, they kept on travelling and took safaris in Africa, trips to see penguins at the southern end of the continent, long stays with friends in Costa Rica, and visits to so many new South American beaches.

After every business trip, Ken would come back to Calgary with a small gift for his kids and a ton of new stories. His return from Buenos Aires was no different, and in 2003 he and Pat settled back into their new, retired, life at home. It would be an understatement to say that retired life suited Ken well. Without work to interfere with his travelling, they were able to visit 78 countries, with cruises becoming one of their most favourite ways to explore the world. At home, he was able to spend more time golfing with friends, more time chauffeuring, spoiling, and cheering for his grandkids, and more time laughing and chatting with his friends and family. He spent time volunteering with the White Hatters, learning how to paint, reading books and newspapers, and keeping up with politics. He discovered a love for cooking, and a tolerance for housekeeping, that surprised even him.

He will be deeply missed by so many people; by his wife of 55 years, Pat, his son, Chris, his daughter Lisa, his son-in-law Trevor Smandych, and his cherished grandchildren Jayden, Aria, and Lincoln Smandych. He is survived by his brother Doug Gutierrez and sister-in-law Gail Gutierrez of Kemptville, Ontario, his brother Ron Gutierrez of Edmonton, Alberta, his sister-in-law Sandy Groot of Victoria, British Columbia, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents William and Margaret Gutierrez, as well as his in-laws Walter and Beth Horton.

Ken’s family thanks family physician and friend, Dr. Richard Ward, and the amazing staff at the Intensive Care Unit of the Foothills Medical Center, for their incredible support through a very difficult time.

A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at the Calgary Winter Club, 4611 14 Street N.W., Calgary, AB, on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

If family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the MS Society of Canada or the Canadian Cancer Society.