Kenneth Ken Clyde Harvey

Kenneth Clyde Harvey was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Ken will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Ken was born in Calgary on March 11, 1942 at the Holy Cross Hospital. He was the youngest of four, with older brothers Terry and Vern and an older sister Pat. Ken’s father Reginald was a master cook in the British Army, and when he was retired from that, he would do all of the cooking and house keeping for the family. Ken’s mother Jessie worked at the Eaton’s Department store, a very progressive arrangement in those days. Ken got his love of cooking from his father, and could cook a 12 course meal for 13 people without breaking a sweat I am told.

Ken was the sort of person who did everything his own way and in his own time. He was forever showing up late for school even though he lived the closest, and he would always be dressed in his white shirt and jeans, and often without a jacket - he dressed tough, despite the Calgary weather.

When Ken was ten, he met the Grant family, who had moved into the neighborhood of Renfrew. Jim Grant was 12, and recalls that Ken was quite happy to meet his 5 sisters. Jim and Ken became close friends and wound up working together at Greyhound, where Ken drove for 28 years. While growing up, some of his best friends were Jim and Kathy Grant, Bob Milligan, Sarge Robertson. Ian Gray and Clark Watson. Later in life, he became friends with Randy Walker, Ron Renaud, Barry and Marie Hatt, Dan Durand, Ib and Helga Rasmussen.

Ken’s parents never owned or drove a vehicle, but Ken was mechanically inclined from the get go. Back then there were two priorities - cars first, and girls second. Ken was forever buying, selling and trading cars…he once owned a Messerschmit, which had 2 wheels in the front and one in the back…quite the neighborhood novelty.

At one point he drove a mauve colored 56 Ford which he lowered all the way around. Later in his life he took to sporting a mauve shirt or tie - perhaps in private recollection of these younger days?

Back in the 50’s the young guys passed their time driving around in their cars, and often going out to places like Bragg Creek for weenie roasts. They got up to their fair share of mischief, but always managed to get out without too much fuss. Often the group would go out to these little diners for coffee in the evenings.

One time, a group of about four of them walked into this place, and not long after there was trouble….next thing you know they were back out in the parking lot…and it was about 30 against four, one of whom was Ken. Well he thought he would even the odds so he went to his car and got his 30 foot bull whip - a few loud CRACKS of that and the crowd dispersed in a hurry.

Despite being a big, strong guy…a man who could lift telephone poles according to his buddy Jim, Ken was a big softy.

When he was 17, he eloped with Marilyn Grant to Great Falls, Montana. This sort of spontaneity would characterize Ken throughout his life. The funny thing was, he had to call his parents to get permission, being a year younger than Marilyn and still under the legal age.

They had two children, Terry Lee and Roland Kenneth, and were always going on picnics, camping and fishing trips, vacations to the Okanagan, or horseback riding…Ken is remembered as a fun loving father who was always into something interesting. He was definitely a hip dad to have.

Ken was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of his favorites was a cute little Peekapoo named Corky. They were best friends for 18 years. Ken also raised tropical fish at more than one time in his life - another example of how nothing could stand in the way of something he wanted to do - he once inquired about raising discus fish at a shop in the city…only to be told that they were a very difficult breed and there was very little likelihood that he would be successful. Of course, Ken was more than successful, and ended up selling the shops unique and finicky breeds he would raise on his own. Like most of the things Ken did, he held nothing back…at one point there was about ten tanks in the house, many he built himself….some even built into the walls. When it came to his fish, he was meticulous, and would even help the females along with their egg laying by gently rubbing their bellies. Many knew Ken as a tough guy…especially those who grew up with him in his youth, but he had a huge heart, and especially when it came to animals.

Fun was and is important to the Harvey’s and to the Grants. The two clans, numerous in number as we all know well, could often be found together at parties, BBQ’s, camp outs, you name it. The families were more than in-laws…they were friends, brothers and sisters in heart and soul.

As we are all painfully aware, life is not all fun and good memories. After 26 years of marriage, Ken and his family were devastated by the sudden passing of Marilyn in August of 1987. It was a loss suffered by many and they banded together to get through this tough time.

Slowly, time went by and life marched on. Ken had his many interests, his work and his family, which by now included three young grandchildren to keep him busy.

Then, one day, something miraculous happened. Ken met a blonde bombshell named Marguerite, who he would later marry and spend the rest of his life with. It is said that to find true love once is a stroke of luck, but Ken found it twice…he was indeed a lucky man. On September 9, 1989 Ken exchanged wedding vows with Marguerite Barbara Ann Robinson at at their home of Calgary, Alberta. He also gained two daughters Lucinda (Wayne) and Letitia. Ken and Marguerite would go on to have 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, Grandchildren, Tiffany, Rachel, Kyle, Megan, Heaven, CJ, Jessie, Chase, Autumn, Austin, and Jackson. Great-grandchildren, Romeo, Cali, Cruz and Tristen.

Ken and Marguerite shared many interests, including traveling, and especially on motorcycle. They traveled down the Oregon coast, to Sturgis more than once, and many other destinations with the wind blowing in their faces and the open road before them. Ken’s love of motorcycles was no different than his love of cars, and reflected in a series of buying, selling and trading. Again, some rides were more memorable than others…such as the chopper that proved to be extremely uncomfortable to ride, especially for Marguerite.

They also loved to go to antique shows and garage sales together. Anyone who knew Ken knew he loved a good deal, and was always on the look out.

In the early 90’s they bought property in Waiperous village where they would get away to a small cabin on the weekends, and where they would eventually build a log home. Ken loved it out there in the woods. After his retirement from Greyhound, he had ample time to develop his skills with a bow and arrow, go fishing, and work on his various artistic pursuits. There is no question that the creativity and passion he was so known for putting into his hobbies was never stronger than their time in Waiporous. If something caught Ken interest, he would get every bit of information he could about the subject and research it until he was an expert in the field or bored and ready for something new.

He was an accomplished painter, with a natural talent…one of the teachers who Ken took a few lessons from once called Marguerite at work and asked her to beg Ken to come back…he had such potential.

The same was true with stained and fused glass. He sought out instruction from a renowned glass artist named Robert Leatherbarrol, who told him after only one session that he needed no further teaching, and that his talent for the art was more than just a hobby. One of Ken’s proudest moments was winning the first place for his fused glass plate depicting the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. He would go on to sell his art in downtown galleries.

It was also in this house where he raised many of his birds. Ken raised his Macaw parrot Macs from a baby, patiently feeding him mushed food spoonful by spoonful.

Eventually however, they decided they missed the hustle and bustle of the city, and sold their property and returned to Calgary. They lived in a few different places before they settled into their Strathcona Village home.

Then, in 2004 Ken was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He was put on a transplant list and then the waiting began. Finally on 2006 he got the call and went to Edmonton, where he received a lung transplant. Life changed drastically after that. There were many Dr appointments, much medication and certain restrictions that Ken had to abide by. With Marguerite by his side every step of the way, Ken managed to find a rhythm to this new routine and made it work as best he could. Of course we couldn’t expect such a strong willed man so used to doing things his own way not to bend the rules here and there, and he certainly did that.

Despite his new limitations, Ken never slowed down for long. He continued to pursue old interests like remote control airplanes, another hobby that made more than one appearance in Ken's life. He loved to go flying with his friend Dan, but it wasn’t always so much fun if you were to go flying with them, since you would probably end up retrieving their planes for them. They must have chuckled with each other as their kids went out after their planes, across fields and into ponds. and new ones…such as buying and selling on E-bay. He always had the latest gadget, whether it be an IPAD or Blackberry…you could certainly never say he was behind the times.

Towards the end, Ken spent more and more time in the hospital, and became very well known by the Dr’s and nurses for his lively spirit and temperament. He was loved by many of the people who knew him during his hospital stays. Ken fought his illness until the very end, passing away with his family by his side on April 15th, 2014 at 7:00 pm, after a long and arduous struggle.

Somebody once said “Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities, strong men make them”.

Ken Harvey was nothing if not a strong man, in body, mind and soul. His life was and will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him.

* * * * * * * * * *

Kenneth Clyde Harvey passed away with his family by his side at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary, AB on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at the age of 72 years.

Ken is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marguerite; daughter, Terry (Jack) Coble; son, Rollie (Laura) Harvey; and step-daughters, Lucinda (Wayne) Braybrook and Letitia Robinson. He will also be remembered by his grandchildren; great grandchildren; brother, Terry (Aileen); sister, Pat Roberts; sister-in-law, Marion Harvey as well as numerous other relatives. Ken is predeceased by his first wife Marilyn and his brother, Vern.

A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to University of Alberta Hospital, Lung Transplant Program, Aberhart Centre One, 2nd Floor Room 8201, 11402 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATIORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial