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
Neil Clegg
Colleen and Ray Cameron
Ray and I met Ken and Carolyn at B-Say-Tah, Sask. Ken is one of those people in the world that immediately exude kindness, integrity, and genuine interest in everyone he met. Our hearts go out to Carolyn, and the Sunquist family, as well as the countless friends and colleagues who will feel his loss as well.
Kathryn Aleong
I'm still in a bit of shock having just learnt of the much-too-soon passing of such a great leader, mentor, colleague and inspiration to so many. I will always remember him fondly and with profound respect and unreserved admiration. It was a joy and fun working with him over the years, getting things done in his positive and supportive way. For me, he epitomized what a servant-leader is. He was a superb Chief Trade Commissioner and did much for the TCS, for the department and for Canada during his admirable public service career. He leaves an indelible legacy and will always be remembered fondly. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
M. R. (Mitch) Vlad
What a loss! Why so soon? How will his family and friends go on without him?
What an excellent obit, especially the part about his sense of humour. Ken was always a half-full, silver lining guy, sunshine where it shouldn't shine kinda guy. Brilliant at dealing with rough situations.
One such was an erratic senior exec forcing us into the unknown . Thankfully our Trade Dept interests were in Ken's hands. Just back from Europe having flown across with this DP/difficult person, he tried to explain to us transition people that the guy at 30,000 feet was pretty sensible. One of our heretics sprouted "why the hell couldn't you keep him up there?" Good laugh all around including belly laugh from Ken, and back to the transition - which never happened. God bless Ken, he kept us all sane.
This ordinary guy was brilliant. A comforting friend and colleague to us all.
Danièle Ayotte
Ken avait le Service des délégués commerciaux tatoué sur le coeur. Tout au long de sa riche carrière, il nous a tous inspirés, tant ses collègues que la relève. Mes plus sincères condoléances à sa famille.
Ralph and Pamela (Kendel) Goodale
Sincere, jovial, thoughtful, extremely kind and generous - these are just a few of the adjectives that would describe Ken Sunquist, along with “Proud Son of Saskatchewan”. He served Canada with distinction all around the world, but always yearned for those summer days at the lake in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Ken began his career in public service running the Premier’s office in Saskatchewan more than 50 years ago, but international trade and diplomacy were his great strengths. Our province and country are the better because of Ken’s hard work, skill and devotion. Our love surrounds Carolyn and their family. His memory is a blessing to all who had the good fortune of know him. With great respect, Ralph & Pam
Pierre Lagueux
It was with shock and great sadness that I learned of Ken's passing at such a young age. Carolyn you may remember that some 30 years ago I convinced Ken to join me as a Cub leader with Fox Pack in the Hamlet. I think his Cub name was Baloo, the big friendly bear in The Jungle Book who taught Mowgli. I did not really know Ken very well before then, but he just struck me as someone who would be a great example for the boys, who would be a great part of our team, and who knew how to have fun. I was not wrong, as both Stephen and Sean will certainly agree. He was a wonderful Baloo. We certainly had fun with all the antics we put our pack of 36 boys through. Ken's laughter and smile are unforgettable memories.
Years later when we both had senior positions in government I had occasion to deal with Ken. I always appreciated his knowledge, his cooperative approach and his open, friendly way. Someone I could trust...a "Baloo" in the real world.
Rest in well deserved peace Baloo.
Pierre Lagueux (Akela)
Agnes and Randy Morriss
We first met Ken and Carolyn as backdoor neighbours almost 40 years ago. Our families became fast friends and stayed in touch over the ensuing years. We remember with great fondness Ken's ready laugh and his developing skills as a carpenter. Indeed, the fence we built together all those years ago lasted, despite heavy usage, until quite recently. Our heartfelt condolences to Carolyn and the family. Rest now Ken.
John & Judie Grantham
Our thoughts are with you Carolyn and family. We recall getting together with you and Ken when you arrived in Ottawa in the mid-70s, but have not had much contact since. Our son Brooke is a Trade Commissioner thanks to a meeting he had with Ken in Jakarta while he was a free-lance journalist in SE Asia. John & Judie
Anna Biolik
It is with a heavy heart that I am saying goodbye to Ken today – an exceptional colleague who embodied all that is finest in Canada’s diplomatic and public service. Ken did big things, quietly and unassumingly. Not many leave behind a legacy of such dedication and accomplishment. He was an inspirational figure and, above all, a profoundly good man and wonderful mentor. We will all miss him deeply. This is particularly a difficult and painful time for his family. In extending to them my heartfelt condolences, I wish them courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss.
Wonderful man, makes me very sad that he has left us at such a young age. Everyone he touched in the Trade Commissioner Service and the broader department will miss him greatly. Peace be upon Ken Sunquist.