January 29, 1948 – November 29, 2024
Patrick “Duane” Kelly of Calgary,AB, passed away on Friday, November 29,
2024, at the age of 76 years.
Duane was born in Calgary, AB, on January 29, 1948. He grew up in
Cochrane, AB, Calgary and Exshaw, AB, and from 1956 on the Kelly farm
north of Hussar, AB. His education included time in a one-room school,
and in 1962, he was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal.
He attended the University of Calgary (U of A Calgary until 1966) and
met Marnie Ross in 1965 in the first year of the Honours Math Program.
They quickly agreed to marry but initially kept their engagement secret,
lest friends and family doubt the wisdom and commitment of the two
eighteen-year-olds. They married on May 18, 1968, following their
graduation from the University of Calgary, each earning a Bachelor of
Science majoring in Math.
Duane began his professional career with IBM in Toronto, ON, in 1968,
where he and Marnie formed lifelong friendships and where their children
Patrick (b 1971) and Colleen (b 1972) were born. Duane was transferred
to Regina, SK, in 1972, Vancouver, BC, in 1976, and Calgary in 1979.
Duane and his family lived in the Silver Springs neighbourhood before
building a home near Millarville in 1990. Duane accepted early retirement
from IBM in 1993 and worked for New Era Systems and its successor
companies until retiring in 2002.
In addition to being a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a
hard-working professional, Duane was committed to community service.
His lifetime of volunteerism includes five decades as a member of
Optimist Clubs in Regina and Calgary, and Optimist International, the
1988 Olympics (donating professional services), the Millarville Racing and
Agricultural Society, and the donation of over 150 units of blood.
He was a curler, an avid reader, researcher of family history, and a problem
solver, committed to solving the daily “Wordle” up until the very last days
of his life.
He treated the news of his 2019 stage four cancer diagnosis with a
vigorous application of the Optimist Creed that he lived by, and as a
problem to be solved. He was the beneficiary of ever-improving therapies
which prolonged his life, and he was committed to helping others
through his participation in numerous studies to improve the scientific
understanding of Canada’s most commonly diagnosed and among the
least survivable cancers.
Duane is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marnie; his children, Patrick
(Kimberley) and Colleen; his sister, Merle (Don) and brother, Glen; his six
grandchildren, Katie, Jessica, Meaghan, Athena, Lucy, and Eden; and
many first cousins.
Duane’s family thanks the staff and volunteers at Dulcina Hospice for their
support and compassion during Duane’s final days.
There will be no funeral, but a celebration of his life will be scheduled in
the spring, with details to follow.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Lung
Cancer Canada, 133 Richmond St W #208, Toronto, ON, Website: www.
lungcancercanada.ca, Telephone: (416) 785-3439 or the Canadian
Children’s Optimist Foundation, 1310 Ave Greene, Westmount, QC,
Website: www.optimistfoundation.ca, Telephone: (514) 982-1600.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with
Patrick’s family at www.MHFH.com.
In living memory of Patrick Kelly, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy
Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.
