This obituary is protected by copyright by Flinn Funeral Services Ltd, proudly serving West Central Alberta, Canada. All rights reserved.
Aug 28, 1957 - Jan 1, 2025
Saturday, January 18, 2025
2:00 pm
Celebration of Life
Royal Canadian Legion
4911 49 St
Rocky Mountain House,AB
Donations may be made in his name to the Heart Foundation or Good Samaritan Society Clearwater Centre if wished.
Ken passed away unexpectedly due to health issues on January 1st, 2025. He was born in Rocky Mountain House on August 28th, 1957, to his parents Harland and Mary and his favorite big sister Debbie. He grew up on the family farm with the famous silver barn and attended school in Rocky Mountain House. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad Harland, and they loved to go on family drives to the mountains. They spent lots of family time together going on picnics, berry picking and working on the farm with all their animals. Ken was especially close to his big sister Debbie. She was always his protector growing up, standing in front of him when their mom Mary would try to spank him. When he was a teenager, Debbie figured maybe she should have let him get a few more spankings so he wouldn’t have been so wild!
Ken was a bit of a wild child in his high school years. He was part of organizing the first sit-in protest at Rocky Jr. Sr. High School, they made it on the RDTV news. Ken loved bowling in high school and even set some high school records at the bowling alley. He may have gotten in some trouble through the years with Dave, Otto, Kurt, Jim, Ken S and other friends. He prided himself on having nice vehicles, the faster the better which didn’t always work in his favor – Ken S says someone must have been looking out for them on their many drives together. Driving across Canada and back in his Trans Am with Jeannette was one of his fondest memories!
Ken had many friends who held a special place in his heart and who were family to him. One of his closest friends was Sherry Phillips. They bickered like an old married couple but always remained friends. Ken and Sherry took many trips together, they loved going to BC and to Cold Lake as much as they could to see Jim and Joie. They went on drives together, spent hours playing crib and cards, going for drinks and having meals together. Ken also spent many hours working in Sherry’s yard which he’d complain loudly about, but he secretly loved to help her out. Dave Holkestad was another best friend who Ken spent time with, they played pool and Ken loved going to Dave’s cabin out at Nordegg. Ken, Dave and Kurt would spend hours ice fishing together and Ken would always come back with stories of their time on the ice. Ken was an avid Oilers fan and spent ages arguing with Kurt who is an avid Flames fan about hockey games. He had so many friends that he loved to spend time with, especially the Gilbert and Jones families, they were all his extended family who he loved very much.
Ken worked at the Esso Gas Plant at Everdell, he knew that plant inside and out! Ken also worked at the new Quinn environmental division with Heather Jones, then moved on to become a Contractor Operator. He worked for different companies including Flint, Harmattan, Whitecap, Rosca and Paramount. He was well liked by the people he worked with.
Ken’s favorite things to do were spending time with his family and friends, playing cards and crib, ice fishing, cooking, reading, watching sports, taking pictures of nature and wildlife and he especially enjoyed sitting around a fire with people he loved. He really loved going to meat draws and socializing with people at the Legion. He loved to spend time with kids, teasing them and getting them to laugh made him very happy. He was affectionately known as Conkey to many people and one of his favorite sayings was Conkey don’t care. He also really enjoyed his Jager, Amarula and Bud Light. He lived his life to the fullest and without regrets.
He will be dearly missed by his big sister Debbie, brother-in-law Sandy, nieces and nephews, family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 18th, 2025. Donations may be made in his name to the Heart Foundation or Good Samaritan Society Clearwater Centre if wished.
Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.
Brenda Stuckey:
Sorry to hear of Ken's passing. Fond memories of working together at the Esso Plant. Condolences to the family.
Tania Bouvette :
See you on the otherside Conkey ...Hard to believe I just won't run into you again ...you were there in our lives since forever lol and we will all miss ya... me my bro and stopping at your place to warm up on route to the arcade. Your place was the halfway house; half way between old town and midtown. Dana my baby sister adored you and Mom must say goodbye to one of her best friends. We are left with lots of great memories and will hold you close to our hearts. To Debbie and family , Sherry, Wendy & Mom and all of his friends and family may you find comfort in your many memories of Conkey. Love ya RIP
Wanda Boucher:
So so sad to hear of Ken’s passing. I have so many fond memories of Ken. He was such a kind easygoing guy. My sincere condolences to his family.
Deb (Murphy) Taylor:
Oh Ken …. you bring back SO many memories of high school in Rocky !! Mostly good ones but some crazy and funny ones !! You were a true friend to many …. You will be missed very much but the memories will live on forever …
Deb (Murf)
DALE HOBBS:
IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 60 YEARS SINCE WE MOVED TO THE FARM NEXT TO THE SILVER BARN AND WONDERFIL AND WELCOMING FAMILY THAT LIVED THERE. SO SORRY TO HEAR OF KEN’S PASSING. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DEBBIE AND FAMILY.
Angela and Paul:
Sad day indeed.So much to say about Conkey.Thankyou for being there for me when I lost my best friend.Always in a good mood even when he wasnt.Could find a joke for everything. We will miss you alot. Now who will be our funny guy.Fires will never be the same.Luv you Ken Conkey.
Shaun "Stomper" McLellan:
Met Ken "Conkey" in the early 90's, he was fun to be around and had plenty of great stories.
He loved a good debate and would argue over the littlest things, especially if he knew it would get you going.
Always a gentleman and there to help anyone anytime. I certainly have lots of fond memories of Conkey playing pool and having a beverage with all his East Coast friends.
God Bless you and Fly High my friend
Wendy Robertson:
Forever in my heart Ken... RIP buddy
Todd Knull:
Rest in peace Ken you will be missed.
Carmen Swalwell:
Wow, I thought Ken would our live us all. My condolences to Ken's family and close friends. We grew up together and I am better for it. We were not in touch over the last years. but I still remember. I just wanted Ken's family to know , we will always carry our memories in our hearts.
Visotto Leland:
Wow what sad news . Know the family for as long as I can remember. So many interactions with so many memories. One of the best smiles I've ever encountered . Will be missed . Thoughts and prayers
Neil Chartrand:
Hey buddy yagermisrer to you
Lori Park Barton:
I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. My sincere condolences Debbie and Sandy.
Kurt Weisser:
So many memories
RIP my friend
Larry Holkestad:
Debbie, Sandy, to all of the Conkey and Macgillivray families and to probably Ken's best friend on this earth Sherry Phillips, I send you all hugs and my deepest condolences and heartfelt sorrow on hearing of Ken's passing. Ken had a one of a kind personality and always had that silly like, mischievous grin on his face, which could have meant that something was about to happen. I have known Ken since I moved to Rocky back in 1971, throughout high school, the bar scene, and our working careers. He was always a good friend through all this. I always enjoyed having a beer or a shooter, him a Jagermeister and myself a Tequila, and OH those patented paralyser races at the Legion. Ken had a vast amount of friends everywhere that will all miss him. So moving forward, keep all your treasured memories you have of Ken, and hold them close to your heart. R.I.P. Ken. You will be sadly missed by all who knew you.
Jack Morrish :
Rest in peace Ken my condolences to the family
Tim kay:
Sorry to hear about your loss
Anna Bertagnolli:
There was never a time when you ran into Ken when he didn't give you a big smile and a, 'how are you doing'? Kind and personable and a laugh so joyful. Good memories and best of the best. Cheers, Ken and be at peace with your mama and papa.
Marc Spencer:
Condolences to all your family.
Rena Pankrat :
Love ya conk xoxo rest in peace buddy … we had lots of good times , you will be missed
Becky Soppit:
Such sad news. Deepest condolences to Debbie and family.
Tim and Jeannette :
We will miss you lots Ken
Pat Ironside:
I’m sending you my condolences and hugs Debbie and Sandy for the loss of your brother. He always had a smile for people. He will be remembered by many.
Jenaya dressler :
Sending my deepest condolences to friends and family of Ken's
Keith Murray:
Sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
Randall A Hay:
Ken your picture says a lot:
- humor, mischievous, smart all in your eyes
- generous and kind soul
- great friend
Otto Bertagnolli:
You will be missed my old friend!
I have been flooded with many memories - from our early days of visiting back and forth as rural families, learning to fish as taught by Harland, picking up round bales, racing tractors, shooting our first Whitetail, attending Ram games, graduating, working in Rainbow Lake, and growing as our careers matured over the years.
Ken was a kind sole and always looked out for the underdog. A true friend who walked an very interesting trail down the long road of life.
Condolences to Debbie and family.
Daron Bauer:
My sincere condolences
Vera Watts:
Can’t believe you’re gone. I just saw you shortly before your passing. RIP Conkey. You will be missed. My condolences to the family
Jeanette de Boer:
Sooo sorry for your loss, he will be missed by many!
Glenda May:
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. My condolences to his family and friends.
Douglas Dunn:
So sad to hear of your booking out Ken.
We had a lot of fun back in the day…remember a trip to Calgary Stampede that is memorable.
What happened to all that red hair in the past? Ya must have been driving a fast car and it just blew off.
You will be missed my friend.
Wishing you peace
Doug
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T4T1C3