Parcourez la nécrologie de Kale Clark May 3 2009
January 4 2025 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
Kale Clark Obituary
Clark, Kale
A Celebration of Kale’s Life will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at The Spire (82 Sydenham St, Kingston, ON K7L 3H4) Starting at 3:30pm. All those whose lives were wonderfully impacted and brightened by Kale’s giving spirit are welcome to join the family in remembering their shining star.
In Lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Joe’s Music Mill or to the Kingston Secondary School Musical Theatre Program, or the Music and Drama Clubs. If you would like to make a donation please make the cheques out to: Kingston Secondary School, and in the memo please put which program or club you’d like the money allocated to. To make donations with credit card or debit please go to the school directly.
Born a shining star.
The tight-knit community of Kingston is grieving the loss of a 15-year-old boy, who was struck and killed by a vehicle in South Frontenac on Jan. 4.
Friends and family have been left in shock and heartbreak after the tragic collision, which occurred while the teen, identified as Kale Clark, was walking along Rosedale Road, a small country road, with a friend.
Kale, a grade 10 student at Kingston Secondary School, was known for being musical, having colourful hair (usually green), being adventurous, having strong perseverance and being passionate about advocacy work.
He even held a naloxone kit in his backpack just in case he came across someone in need and took part in various protests throughout the city, including one for Palestinians and another for those at the encampments at Queen’s University.
“Kale was probably the coolest kid that has ever been born and of course I’m biased,” said Christina Avery, Kale’s biological mother, her heart filled with pain, yet her voice filled with pride. “He was born in a bathtub in Texas, and he has spent his whole life being independent, creative, precocious, musical, artistic, kind and brave. He was literally all the best of humanity put into one sassy 15-and-a-half-year old trans kid’s body.”
“A bright star,” said Dean Clark, Kale’s biological father, his voice honoured to be Kale’s parent. “An amazing human being. Way, way older than he was. Very wise and able to light up a room just by his presence and be able to be a calming presence to anyone. Always appreciative to anyone, always there,” recalled Clark.
Kale was lucky enough to have had two sets of loving parents.
His biological mother Christina Avery and dad Radford Cowan live in Kingston. His biological father Dean Clark and mother Natalie Clark live in Yarker.
Radford Cowan recalled one of their first times together.
“We went out hiking and it was in the middle of February, and it was so cold,” he said. “We went down by the water, playing on the beach and he came over to me and picked up this heart-shaped rock. He brought it over to me and it was the sweetest, kindest gesture and that’s just magnified and repeated throughout his life,” said Cowan, his face just heartbroken.
Choked with emotion, Natalie Clark said she will remember her son as an old soul with the biggest heart.
“He gave me this glass jar two years ago and it was colour-coded,” she said. “So, there were ‘reasons I love you’, ‘our memories’, and ‘special quotes.’ It was all colour-coded so every day I could open it and read one. That’s how thoughtful this kid was.”
Kale had three siblings, his older brother, Oliver, with whom he was very close, and two younger sisters who adored him, Wilder and Amelia.
Kale, a creative soul, had a love for music and drama, which led him toward theatre. Last year, he tried out for a lead role with Blue Canoe Productions and got it. Since then, he’s performed many times, including at his school. His most recent role was the plant “Audrey 2” in the Little Shop of Horrors production.
“He had numerous wardrobe changes as the plant, including a 100-plus pound monstrosity of a costume. There was never a role or a challenge too big for Kale to overcome,” said his dad, Clark.
One of his favourite musical artists was Elton John. He was even lucky enough to see him perform in Toronto.
From that day forward, his mom Avery said, “he was really determined that he was going to be the next Elton John,” adding, “for Christmas he got an Elton John song book that he was so excited to dive into.”
His favourite song, Cowan recalls, was Crocodile Rock.
Both sets of parents describe Kale as an adventurous kid. He loved nature and enjoyed camping, traveling and snowboarding.
“Him and I, we did a camping trip a couple years ago,” recalled Clark. “We went canoeing and almost dropped the canoe into the lake. When we were leaving, we put on some five finger death metal and just rocked out and everybody in the campground heard. So, we can never go back there!” Clark said with a laugh.
Avery was told that “One of his last words before he was hit by a car was, I’m bored and I’m ready for another adventure.”
Since Kale’s passing, Avery said it’s been like a treasure hunt, going through their home and finding the things Kale has left behind.
“We have had to have the unfortunate job of starting to go through his things and we have found wood burning, we have found crochet, we have found knitting. I’m wearing beaded earrings that he made, I’m also wearing necklaces and bracelets. We’re all wearing jewelry that he’s made and gifted. Part of his celebration of life is going to be an art gallery because he has created so many pieces of art,” said Avery.
A gifted musical teen
At school, Kale was described by his music teacher, Kelli Caravan, as a talented musician and actor.
“Kale played the bass guitar, and Kale played the flute, and Kale started playing the alto sax at Vanier and then continued here at Kingston Secondary School,” Caravan said. “He also dabbled in drums, he also played guitar. He was just was a very, very talented, motivated, creative kid. And that’s not even to mention the singing, the theatre and the acting. He was also writing a musical with another student.”
Kale was also part of four of the five ensembles at the school.
Amongst his peers, Kale was equally regarded and would help anyone who needed it.
“In the reflections that kids have been writing, some kids didn’t know Kale, it’s a big school. But they knew of Kale, and they knew that Kale was a kind person, and they knew that Kale was a creative person,” said Caravan, adding “He was an advocate for all.”
Even though Kale was a student, he really showed he cared, not just with his friends, but his educators as well.
“Even as a teacher you don’t really often have students ask you about how your day is,” Caravan said. “I mean I’ve got some really great students, so I do get that question quite often, but Kale never let a day go by without asking me how my day was.”
Caravan said there has been a lot of sadness among students and teachers at Kingston Secondary School as they mourn the loss of Kale.
“I was really excited to see what Kale would have done with his life,” added Caravan, “I’m sure it would have been amazing.”
Community in grieving
The tragic loss has left a hole in the community, in particular those who attend the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market.
Avery and Cowan have a booth there called Knifey Spooney and sell culinary goods.
Tammara Maher, owner of Collective Joy Farm, is a vendor at the market and had known the family since Kale was a baby.
“I would describe Kale as a very vibrant, happy, socially minded kid,” Meher said.
Devastated by the loss, she said believes his biggest attribute would be his loving nature.
“I’ll never forget his beautiful smile, how kind he was, how good he was to my kid,” Meher said. “He was always so open-hearted and wanting to include other people. All the things that make a great person.”
Fellow vendor, Casey Boyce, owner of Shiva’s Delight, said the news of his death came as a total shock.
“You always hear about accidents happening, but you never really think it’s going to be somebody that you know and have spent time with,” Boyce said.
Boyce said Kale grew up around the market, adding the businesses was a family affair.
“I remember when Kale was a lot younger, Kale would come around and visit everybody’s booths and was very fun, silly, and just really kind and loved talking with all of the other vendors,” recalled Boyce.
Fundraising for support of the Avery-Cowan family through the gofundme — www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-fund-for-kale — been very successful and Boyce hopes that help continues to flow in.
“As a fellow entrepreneur, my first thoughts were, oh my gosh this is how they make their living and now they’re grieving the loss of a child. So, the one way that the community can really come together to help them is to ease that financial burden so they will have the time they need to grieve in the way that they need to,” said Boyce.
As his family and friends cope with the tragedy, one thing is clear: Kale’s spirit will continue to live on through the memories and stories shared by those who were fortunate enough to know him.
www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/tragic-loss-of-kingston-teen-hit-and-killed-by-a-vehicle-leaves-community-in-mourning
Support and Share
How did you know Kale Clark?
Family
Friend
Work
Other
Help others honor Kale’s memory
Share Obituary
May 3 2009
January 4 2025
Décès pour la Ville:Kingston, Province: Ontario
avis deces Kale Clark May 3 2009
January 4 2025
nécrologie Kale Clark May 3 2009
January 4 2025
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Kale Clark May 3 2009
January 4 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.