Obituary for Kenneth Vernon Sprake
Kenneth Vernon SPRAKE
December 20, 1943 – April 11, 2023
Beloved father and grandfather, Kenneth Vernon Sprake passed away in Calgary, Alberta on April 11, 2023, at age 79. Born December 20, 1943 in Lloydminster, Alberta, Ken moved to Fort Saskatchewan as a teen and it was there he met his bride-to-be, Vicki. After marrying in 1967, they lived in several communities in central and northern Alberta before settling in St. Albert in 1974.
They relocated to Calgary with their young son, Michael, and daughter, Jennifer, in 1978 where they purchased a house that would be their family home until Ken’s passing. For more than a decade, Ken ran the local Red Rooster corner store, becoming a central figure in the community. Always having been one to roll up his sleeves and make his own way in the world, Ken instilled the same work ethic and no-nonsense attitude in his children.
Ken was a bird lover from an early age. As a child, he nursed an injured crow back to health and, once recovered, “Jimmy the Crow” followed him to school each day. A keen bird watcher, he was able to pick out any bird by its song. The backyard deck in Calgary had a myriad of birdhouses and feeders, which he faithfully filled each day for the local birds.
Ken is predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Vicki (nee Bryer) in 2018. He is dearly missed by his children, Michael (Stephanie Thomas) and Jennifer; grandchildren Greta and Rix; and siblings, Doug (Marnie), Robert (Annette), and Janice Johnson (Eric). As per Ken’s wishes, no service is planned at this time, but a celebration of life will be held for friends and family in the coming months.
A quiet man who rarely raised his voice, Ken had many roles throughout his life: owner, manager, husband, tax expert, bird aficionado… but the one he will be most remembered for is father and grandpa.
His eldest grandchild, Greta, has Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS), and Ken was one of Greta’s regular recipients of her twice-weekly routine of phone calls. She is heartbroken to be unable to call him anymore but explains, “grandpa feels so happy because he is with grandma now”.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Foundation for Prader Willi Research (FPWR) Canada . Donations can be made online or mailed to FPWR Canada, 19 – 13085 Yonge St., Suite 370, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 0K9, “In Memory of Ken Sprake for Greta Thomas-Sprake”.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Susan please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343
December 20, 1943 – April 11, 2023
Beloved father and grandfather, Kenneth Vernon Sprake passed away in Calgary, Alberta on April 11, 2023, at age 79. Born December 20, 1943 in Lloydminster, Alberta, Ken moved to Fort Saskatchewan as a teen and it was there he met his bride-to-be, Vicki. After marrying in 1967, they lived in several communities in central and northern Alberta before settling in St. Albert in 1974.
They relocated to Calgary with their young son, Michael, and daughter, Jennifer, in 1978 where they purchased a house that would be their family home until Ken’s passing. For more than a decade, Ken ran the local Red Rooster corner store, becoming a central figure in the community. Always having been one to roll up his sleeves and make his own way in the world, Ken instilled the same work ethic and no-nonsense attitude in his children.
Ken was a bird lover from an early age. As a child, he nursed an injured crow back to health and, once recovered, “Jimmy the Crow” followed him to school each day. A keen bird watcher, he was able to pick out any bird by its song. The backyard deck in Calgary had a myriad of birdhouses and feeders, which he faithfully filled each day for the local birds.
Ken is predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Vicki (nee Bryer) in 2018. He is dearly missed by his children, Michael (Stephanie Thomas) and Jennifer; grandchildren Greta and Rix; and siblings, Doug (Marnie), Robert (Annette), and Janice Johnson (Eric). As per Ken’s wishes, no service is planned at this time, but a celebration of life will be held for friends and family in the coming months.
A quiet man who rarely raised his voice, Ken had many roles throughout his life: owner, manager, husband, tax expert, bird aficionado… but the one he will be most remembered for is father and grandpa.
His eldest grandchild, Greta, has Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS), and Ken was one of Greta’s regular recipients of her twice-weekly routine of phone calls. She is heartbroken to be unable to call him anymore but explains, “grandpa feels so happy because he is with grandma now”.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Foundation for Prader Willi Research (FPWR) Canada . Donations can be made online or mailed to FPWR Canada, 19 – 13085 Yonge St., Suite 370, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 0K9, “In Memory of Ken Sprake for Greta Thomas-Sprake”.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Susan please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343