Kenneth H. G. Broadfoot

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kenneth H.G. Broadfoot, age 86 of Edmonton on April 9th, 2023. However, we do feel he was blessed with having passed peacefully in his sleep. Ken was recently diagnosed with dementia and was managing his symptoms okay, but his quality of life had changed dramatically.

Ken was born on March 15th, 1937 to Edward "Maurice" Broadfoot, and Muriel (nee McFaul) Broadfoot in Calgary Alberta. While his father was overseas during WWII, Muriel passed; and Ken and Linda were raised by their Grandparents. Maurice re-married after the war, and Lilian (nee Reidy) became Ken's enduring Mother.

The family moved to Red Deer for many of Ken's formative years, and eventually settled in Camrose AB where Ken attended Middle and High School, and met the love of his life Patricia Grace Lomas.

After graduating from high school, he went on to study at the U of Alberta, graduating with a Business degree in 1958. Ken and Pat got married (1957), and started their family when their son Mike was born in 1958. Doug and Sheila, (McCarthy) followed shortly after in 1960 and 1962 respectively.

After graduation, Ken landed a job in sales for Imperial Oil. Better known as Esso to many in those years, the Company steadily promoted Ken. First a quick move to Winnipeg in 1962, and back again to Edmonton for a couple of years before moving to Scarborough ON in 1965 for 8 more years. He finished with Esso in 1973 as head of Product Development and Marketing for the Retail division. It was time for the family to return to its roots in Alberta.

From 1973 thru 1996, Ken carried out a broad variety of duties with Alberta's Provincial Government, including several Economic Trade and Development leadership roles, and finishing as Deputy Minister of Technology, Research & Telecomm. During his career there, Ken travelled the world building global relationships, while securing long-term investment and trade across many industries. Ken's primary directive in the last decade there was to ensure the diversification of Alberta's economic future. He was very proud of his service.

Ken retired from public service in 1996 and joined some colleagues in launching "Western New Ventures", an early venture capital firm dedicated to funding and leading entrepreneurs to their next levels of success.

Ken was arguably the definition of success. Beyond a very rewarding career with the Province, he was a very principled man, with a firm commitment to the support and happiness of his family; he was a remarkable athlete, playing competitive hockey and baseball in his younger years, and then taking on (with zeal), the world's hardest sport – golf. The Edmonton Country Club became his home away from home whenever he could get away from his other priorities. He went on to become President of the golf club in the 90's, and while at the helm he was responsible for the complete renovation of the club. And he parred the course on his 71st birthday!

His love of sports, especially hockey, also led him to take up coaching very early on. His skill, dedication, and passion brought him championship hockey teams; the endless rewards of participating in youth development; and a great many new friends across Ontario and Alberta.

He also was very passionate about hunting ducks and geese. This was instilled by his father at a very young age, enjoying many great fall weekends away with his dad. This eventually became a larger group of adventurers, including many of Ken’s young friends of the time, and ultimately saw the inclusion of a 3rd generation when his son Doug joined the pack. Ken and this tight group eventually knew most of the farmers in all the prime hunting regions, securing them productive duck hunting grounds every fall from their teens to their 80's.

Anyone who knew Ken, knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. And his character and interests, (along with Pat’s abundant charm) won them many close friends wherever their lives took them. Most remarkable were those friends made in the early years in Camrose. Austin Smith, Danny Groves, Barry Code, Don (Digger) Badger, Bob Schnell, and Bruce Miller, were all very dear to him, and right there, alongside him in life for 70 plus years.

Ken and Pat left quite a legacy of close family, and are survived by their children Mike, Sheila (McCarthy) and Doug; and their spouses Jacquie, Frank and Maureen respectively. Their 7 grandchildren (Ryan, Nicole, Jason, Danielle, Mark, Connor and Grace) will all remember him fondly for his warm hugs, his organizing of games and treasure hunts, and for his magic with ice cream. He is further survived by 6 Great-Grandchildren.

Ken was predeceased by his wife of 63 years Patricia, his parents Maurice and Lil, his sister Linda (McGaw), and younger brother Ron. His youngest brother Sandy, passed the week after Ken.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Dementia is a condition that affects us all, and support in this fight is very meaningful.