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Kent OLIVER Obituary
1949 - 2013
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Kent Oliver on December 10, 2013.
Kent is survived by his partner, Shirley McNeilly; his children, Brent (Jill), Tim (ChaeYoung), Kayla and Curtis; and grandchildren, Milo, Rosie, Jane, Jessica and Anica. He is lovingly remembered by his sisters and brother, Sandra (Jim), Pat (Gord), Shelly (Dave), Heather (Dick) and Rick (Shauna). He will be deeply missed by his mother and father-in-law, Bill and Helen Pelensky; his brothers-in-law, Larry (Maureen) and Peter (Sherry); and his many nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues.
In his quiet way Kent touched many lives. His dry reflections about the world provided us with many life lessons, some of which were: Nothing is better than music from 1965; Tell them the grandchildren are gifted and one day they will realize that you thought they were gifted; Pick an Oiler to hate every year; Champion the west at every opportunity; Do not let people from Toronto think they are the centre of the universe; Always have a cupboard of good stuff for the grandchildren; You can never go wrong if you pick up a mystery by Ed McBain; Exaggeration for effect always improves the story; and, If you get a chance to brag about Shirley's golf game, do.
Kent you were an amazing life partner, dad and grandpa. You will be missed.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Edmonton Country Club, 6201 Country Club Road, Edmonton, Alberta.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website
www.hainstockedmonton.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
47 Entries
Bob Found
March 14, 2014
I'm very sorry for your loss. I worked with Kent at NAIT...we shared the same penthouse offices. I remember when his department bought the first computer that could almost be called a PC...a HP computer with built in printer, running Basic. He protected that computer like it was the Crown Jewels! Every day he would call me over to show me the new things it could do. He was a super administrator in Hydrocarbon Tech.
Karly Spalding
December 21, 2013
Shirley and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts.
December 20, 2013
Shirley and family: our sincere condolences for your loss of Kent. I am so grateful for the time I worked and traveled with him. He was such a great leader, mentor and friend. He is missed. May his memory provide you comfort through your grief.
Joe and Marlene Mulder
Carol Mayer-Kosch
December 18, 2013
I feel very fortunate to be one of the people who worked with Kent for many years. Never a dull moment in NAIT's International Education office, and Kent was a great boss. Such a smart man with a great vision, and funny in his own way. He will be so missed. My thoughts are with his family at this time.
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December 18, 2013
We have lost a wonderful man; he was one of the few who could "read by the light of his soul"…….our sincere condolences to his family.
Nelson Kennedy
Terry Cooke
December 16, 2013
Fond memories of early years as colleagues at NAIT, too young, far too young, a sad loss indeed.
December 16, 2013
Heather and Dick
What a shock to hear of Kent's passing and our condolences to you and your family. We are in Palm Springs until the end of Feb., we must catch up!
Brenda and Ken Greenan
December 16, 2013
Helen, Bill, Shirley and family
We were saddened to hear of Ken's passing from Walt yesterday when we arrived in Palm Springs and would like to extend our sympathies to all of you.
Brenda and Ken Greenan
David Harvey
December 16, 2013
Kent was one of my first bosses at NAIT. Kent always had fun at work and I enjoyed his candor on important and not so important issues alike. Kent was a good guy and will be missed.
Duke Anderson
December 16, 2013
I had the privilege and honor of working and traveling with Kent for many years with SAIT. He was truly a gentleman and a scholar.
Ron Kachman
December 16, 2013
Kent's untimely passing is a heartfelt loss to all who knew him. He was a special individual, both as a person and as a highly respected technical educator. I remember Kent fondly from our early years at NAIT. Sincerest condolences to all members of Kent's family.
Silvia Bégin
December 16, 2013
I worked with Kent for many years at the International Education office at NAIT. He was a great leader and mentor. I appreciate the many valuable lessons I learned from him over the years. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Cindy Rothwell
December 16, 2013
He and I shared a passion for golf. I worked with him for several years when he was a Chair here at NAIT. He will be remembered as one of the "good guys".
Kewal & Gurpreet Dhariwal
December 15, 2013
Our sincerest condolences to the family. Our time at NAIT together stretched over 20 years from the locker room to International settings - Kent was always a gentle and kind soul - may he rest in peace.
Renee Chernecki
December 15, 2013
A great mentor and colleague. Kent was such a pleasure to work with and will be greatly missed. A privilege to have known him.
Ron Louth
December 15, 2013
It was a sad day when I heard of Kent's passing. I have worked with Kent on various international training projects over the last 7 years. He was a great colleague and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kent's family.
Brian Inglis
December 15, 2013
Very sad to hear of Kent's passing. Kent was instrumental in the development of the Australia Pacific LNG training program here in Australia and I spent some great times with him. On behalf of ConocoPhillips Australia I wish to express deepest condolences to his family.
Cindy & Genevieve
December 15, 2013
Shirley, Curtis and family. We are sad to hear of Kent's passing and hope that the wonderful memories that you have of Kent will help you make it through these hard times. Our prayers are with you.
~ Rest in Peace ~
Meghan Hetherington
December 15, 2013
I was saddened to hear the news. I remember Kent fondly growing up with Kayla. You are all in my thoughts.
Kent on a refreshment break in Mussoorie, India, 2011, on a day off from a consulting project..
Curt and Bev Cain
December 15, 2013
An immense loss, personally and professionally. Kent was a great ambassador for Canada and the Canadian approach to training and education, and thousands of people around the world have benefited from his knowledge and experience. Sincere condolences to Shirley and all of Kent's family, and to all the friends and colleagues who will miss him deeply.
Graeme Clark & Barb Neil
December 15, 2013
I've only known Kent the past several years on the annual June golf pilgrimage with the NAIT guys, but he will be sadly missed for his intelligent, wry humor, his obvious love of life, and his easy companionship. For you and your family, may time soften the pain of this sudden and untimely loss, so that the many wonderful memories can endure and live on.
Kathleen Edwards
December 14, 2013
I was truly sorry to hear of your loss. Kent was my first leader who had a vision. He was passionate about the international projects and grew the department to new heights. His connections with people was far reaching and he has touched so many of us with his kindness and respectful disposition. He will be missed by many and will remain in our memories - every time I hear about Thailand, Argentinea, Russia, Lybia, Egypt and Pakistan to name a few I will think of Kent and my time working at NAIT in international education. My thoughts are with you.
Doug & Helen Morrice
December 14, 2013
To Shirley:
We are so sorry to receive the news of Kent's passing.
Our sincere condolences and sympathies to you and all your family, he will be missed.
Doug & Helen
December 14, 2013
Remembering Kent with great fondness and admiration, and thinking of you his family.
Lee and Stephanie Bradshaw
Ken Nikolai
December 13, 2013
Our deepest condolences go out to Kent's family. I had the privilege of working with Kent for many years. He was a mentor to many of us in international training. Kent was an incredible person who we will miss very much.
Marilyn and Gilbert Heise
December 13, 2013
For Shirley and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Judy James
December 13, 2013
I remember Kent tutoring me in grade 12 Math. What a privilege. Such a great mind. My heart goes out to family and friends.
December 13, 2013
...devoted father and grandfather, outstanding teacher, master of the anecdote...so many memories
"When I woke up this morning you were on my mind"
You will be greatly missed!
Jan Oliver
Dave Rea
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences. Kent and I spent many memorable hours planning and working together on international projects, whether speeding down the streets of Cairo or travelling to secluded parts of Equatorial Guinea . He was a mentor, friend and colleague and I will miss his humour, his intelligence and his sunny disposition. May God comfort you at this time. Unfortunately, I am away at the present time and will not be able to attend the memorial service, but my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Brent Pickard
December 13, 2013
Sincere condolences to Kent's family. It was a privilege to have known and worked with Kent.
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family, my thoughts and condolences go out to you and your family. I remember fondly his dedication, knowledge, patience and love of stories. He will be truly missed.
Steve Moores (St. Albert)
December 13, 2013
Shirley, Curtis and Kayla,
My deepest sympathy for your loss of a partner, father and friend. I hope your memories will help ease your pain at this time .
Hugs Janis & John Hayes
Rick Dickenson
December 13, 2013
To Kent's Family, please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss. I worked with Kent on some foreign teaching assignments in my early days at NAIT and I will always rememebr him telling me about the day he would look forward to his NAPA Valley wine tasting adventure!
Ian Cowan
December 13, 2013
My heartfelt condolences to Kent's family. He is a loss in so many ways. There are too many experiences together to ever forget his remarkable contributions to the business and to his colleagues and friends.
Ernie and Barb Jacobson
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We all have wonderful memories accumulated over 30 years of an annual golf trip of which Kent was a founding participant. Kent's spirit, his humour, his generosity and his dry wit were valued by all of us. We all shared stories; some may have been told before, but that was OK, because most of us had forgotten from the previous year. He will be missed.
satya bhardwaj
December 13, 2013
Shirley and family:
My heartfelt condolences to you and family. He was a great friend and will surely miss him.
Jessica Albers
December 13, 2013
I worked with Kent on technical proposals for SAIT Polytechnic over the years. He was a charming, kind, and well liked human being, and a well respected technical training expert. We will miss him. Our thoughts are with you.
Ignacio Garcia
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family,
My deepest condolences for an admirable person. Kent will always be fondly missed and remembered.
Roy Barker
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and all of Ken's loved ones. We have many great memories of our times working with and along side Kent. The international training community has lost one of its best consulting gurus.
He will be greatly missed.
Jan Knowles and Roy Barker
Bruce and Michelle Reinders
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family for your loss. Kent was an extraordinary person. He had an incredible influence on the lives of so many.
Bruce Reinders
December 13, 2013
Shirley and Family,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family for your loss. Kent was an extraordinary person. He had a an incredible influence on the lives of so many....
Bruce and Michelle Reinders
December 13, 2013
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Shelley & Dave Gerlitz
December 13, 2013
Shirley, Brent, Tim, Kayla & Curtis we are all in deep shock and can't think of words to express how we feel. Kent's presence and generousity will truly be missed.
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