It is with love and profound sadness that we mourn the death of Ken Sunquist. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, diplomat, board member, mentor and dear friend, he died peacefully at Ottawa General Hospital on Wednesday June 8, 2022.
His kindness, generosity and questionable sense of humour will be deeply missed by his wife, Carolyn, sons Stephen and Sean, and daughters-in-law Susan and Kate, and their children Kira, Trevlyn and Elliott. His younger sister, Susan and brother, Tim, along with their families will mourn his loss as well.
Son of Ed and Diana Sunquist, born in Winnipeg at the end of mosquito season in 1948, he grew up in almost every small town across western Canada, but found his true home when he married Carolyn Darke, the love of his life, in February of 1971. Ken graduated from University of Saskatchewan, Regina campus, with a B.Admin, and later with a Masters in Public Admin from Golden Gate University.
Ken had been in the ROTP Royal Canadian Navy, then worked at the office of the Premier of Saskatchewan, and Revenue Canada before accepting his dream job with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (then known as Industry, Trade and Commerce …. friends from DFAIT, GAC, etc. know the truth of the Bards words – a rose by any other name…). Working on the Trade side, Ken and Carolyn traveled the world, with postings to Jamaica, Yugoslavia, United States (San Francisco), back to Ottawa, then off to the far east with stints in South Korea, China (as Chargé d’affairs), then as Canada’s Ambassador to Indonesia. Returning to Ottawa, he completed his career as Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner, and Assistant Deputy Minister for Africa and Asia. In retirement Ken translated lessons learned from his 37 years as a public servant into further work as a passionate member on the boards of directors for CARE Canada, the Forum for International Trade Training, the Trade Facilitation Office, the Canadian Commercial Corporation and as an adjunct professor for his alma mater, the University of Regina (honorary Doctorate, recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award) and the University of Alberta, Canada-China Institute. In these endeavors he found new avenues to explore and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to both learn and teach.
While he was an unrepentant work-a-holic, Ken truly loved the people he worked with – many colleagues became lifelong friends, and he felt privileged to share their company in Ottawa, Saskatchewan, and around the globe. Ken happily spent many a dinner regaling friends and family with tales - often funny, moving or inspirational – of the work situations and personalities he surrounded himself with.
Ken and Carolyn spent years, and earned many of their grey hairs, renovating the family cottage in Saskatchewan, and it was there he found his greatest peace and enjoyment. Shortly after retirement, he learned about flooding the hard way in 2011 and 2013, and gained an extended family as the tight-knit community of B-Say-Tah struggled with sandbagging and pumping to protect their homes and cottages. A voracious reader, he could be found at any time of day with a book in hand. He and Carolyn loved spending evenings gazing across the lake at the stunning prairie sunsets, chatting with neighbors, and most of all, playing with his grandchildren. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and in so many other capacities, he was truly a kind and compassionate man, and he will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Ken’s life will occur on Wednesday June 15, 2022, at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) at 1300. For those who are unable to attend in person, please visit www.beechwoodottawa.ca to preregister for a live stream of the Service. There will be a second Celebration this summer in Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CARE Canada, the Canadian Liver Foundation, or the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
Digital Guestbook
Susan Gurney
Dave Murphy
Deepest condolences to Carolyn and the family. Ken was a boss and mentor early in my career, whose gentle smile and personal, human approach inspired and endeared many. Despite the many work-related adventures we shared, my fondest recollections are of Ken interacting with families around the pool on hot Beijing weekends and entertaining my young sons. Always listening to and encouraging others, Ken will be sorely missed.
Dave Murphy
Shocked and saddened to learn of Ken’s passing, my deepest condolences to Carolyn and the family. Ken was a boss and mentor who was always there to offer guidance and support, and his good humour and personal, generous style inspired many. It is so appropriate that TCS employees of excellence receive the Sunquist Award, he was truly an inspirational figure and is sorely missed.
Sarah Taylor & Patrick Kavanagh
We were so sorry to hear of Ken’s death, and send our deepest condolences to Carolyn and the rest of Ken’s family. We were with Ken and Carolyn on two postings— Beijing and Indonesia— and have very fond memories of both. Ken was a true gentleman and the best kind of leader — warm, funny, deeply engaged. He will be sorely missed.
Patti & Allen KrMer
Dear Carolyn, Stephen, Susan and Kira, Sean, Kate Trevlyn and Elliott.
We are so sorry for your loss. Ken was a remarkable man and a true humanitarian.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Patti & Allen Kramer
Chris Thornley
Somehow I never pictured a world without Ken Sunquist. He was always a beacon of sanity, kindness and humanity. Ken touched so many people in such a positive way; always with humility. We will miss him terribly but his legacy as a role model, mentor and friend will live on. Ken made trade promotion a noble mission and I am sure he is currently convincing St. Peter that Heaven needs to do a better job of marketing itself! Thank you Ken for making everything and everybody around you that much better.
Greg Chubak
To Carolyn and family,
Condolences from Peg and I. Ken was the STC on my fist posting in Seoul and while not yet a Head of Mission, Ken was the émince grise of the mission who lead by example. His leadership and character was a profound example of how to be (not just behave) in both life and as a member of the Canadian foreign service.
Duane McMullen
Ken's unflagging cheerfulness, uncanny ability to find the opportunity (and humour) in any situation and tireless commitment to people serve as an example to us all. Even more, he took those commendable personal traits and infused them into his institution, the Trade Commissioner Service.
The questions Trade Commissioners ask themselves to measure how they are conforming to those values are the leadership values Ken exemplified:
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‘My manager supports me to be innovative and to take initiative’ ‘Mon supérieur me soutient pour être innovant et prendre des initiatives.'
‘My colleagues and I trust, respect and support each other’ 'Mes collègues et moi, nous nous faison confiance, nous nous respectons e nous nous soutenons muteellement’
‘I can safely express my opinions about work’ ‘Je peux exprimer librement mon opinion concernant notre travail’
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Those core aspects of who Ken was will long live on in the culture and values of the global community of Trade Commissioners.
Joan and Bill Wheatley
Amazing how the mutual friendship of Joan and Carolyn brought us together to enjoy a friendship that has endured for over 50 years.
We’ve watched as Ken’s career took he, Carolyn and the boys to all parts of the world but always come back to the Qu’Appelle where we would catch up and enjoy each other’s company again!
And we will celebrate Ken’s amazing life and accomplishments when we meet in the valley again this summer.
Karen Sleiman
I'm truly saddened to hear of Ken's passing. I've looked up to him throughout my career. I've never met anyone who was more genuine and kind, always had a smile on his face, was always there to support you, and provide advice and guidance when needed. He was a true gem! My deepest condolences to the whole family.
I have lost my big brother and I am devastated. Aside from his quick (often weird) sense of humour he was my friend, my supporter and my skating partner! My family are all saddened by the loss such a wonderful person but his memory will continue to guide us.