Geoffrey William Kent

Our family is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Geoffrey William Kent, aged 57, on December 6, 2023, while visiting his family in Halifax.

Born in Halifax, Geoff was the son of Donald and the late Elaine (Johnson) Kent. He attended Prince Andrew High School and graduated from Dalhousie University with his Bachelor of Commerce, in 1989, and Masters in Business Administration, in 1991.

Geoff moved to Edmonton after graduation, where he worked for the Metis Settlements General Council and met his wife, Cathy. He was an avid hockey player throughout his life, although he was always keen for new athletic challenges, such as running the Toronto Marathon with his cousin, Patrick, in 2007. Geoff lived his life with a wonderful spirit of adventure that led him to follow his passion for working in professional hockey throughout the southern United States. He and Cathy eventually settled in Colorado, where he worked as a financial planner and, most recently, in the oil business.

Geoff had the good fortune of meeting many of his hockey heroes while writing his book, Here Come the Vees, published in 1997, which chronicled the history of the Nova Scotia Voyageurs hockey team. Watching the Vees games was a favourite childhood activity of the Kents, along with their cousins in the Brean family. His life-long fondness for hockey was also pursued with friends during countless early mornings on the ice at St. Mary’s University, Musquodoboit Harbour, Dalhousie University, teams in western Canada and, of course, frequent re-watchings of his beloved classic, “Slapshot”.

Geoff’s true passion, though, was his family and many friends, with whom he stayed in constant contact and brought together at every opportunity, despite so many of us living at a great distance from each other. He would regularly return to Nova Scotia to spend time at the family cottage, visit family and friends, and satisfy his craving for clams and chips. Geoff never missed an opportunity to bring “home” his daughter Kasia, from her earliest age, proudly introducing her to family and the province in which he had grown up, striving to ensure she would have a lasting connection to each.

Geoff had a genuine and sincere interest in people, and had a special way of making everyone feel important. Everyone who knew Geoff felt a special bond with him, no matter the span of time or distance. We will forever miss the epic conversations and spirited debates on topics that could range from politics, to sports, to the best clam chowder recipes, and the numerous escapades of years past.

Geoff is survived by his wife of 26 years, Catherine (Denver, Colorado), his daughter, Kasia (Orlando, Florida), his father, Donald, his sister, Ann Marie (Paul Brushett), his nephew, Alexander, his niece, Elena (all of Halifax), and a great many cousins, aunts and uncles. Geoff would want to mention the particularly special connection he had with his cousins, Trevor Johnson, Patrick and Kathryn Brean, his Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Ellen Brean, as well as his late cousin and great friend, Alfred Brean.

A funeral mass will take place on Monday, December 18, 10:00 am, at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, in Halifax.