Obituary Overview
Kenneth Gordon Sturdy
STURDY, Kenneth Gordon
1920-2018
Eldest son of Mary Alice and Wilfred, born in Cardiff, at eight years old moved with his family to Hampstead, London. At the outbreak of the war he joined the Royal Navy as a signalman, assisted at the Dunkirk evacuation, sailed on Atlantic convey duty and on June 6, 1944 landed as a Royal Marine commando on Sword Beach, Normandy to help direct off shore gunfire. During the subsequent Allied advance on Berlin in 1945 his truck went over a landmine, all but killing him. He was 25. Post war, Ken graduated (first class honours) from Loughborough University’s College of Art and then took his diploma in painting at Chelsea School of Art. He emigrated to Canada in 1953, taught painting and art history and became a respected figurative painter. His connection with what later became the Alberta College of Art and Design spanned three decades, latterly as College head, advancing the institution towards degree granting status. Relocating to Devon, England in 2004 Ken joined the Normandy Veterans Association, a move that brought his life full circle as he attended commemorations in England, Normandy, Holland and Belgium, honoring those who had fought against Nazi domination of Europe. In 2015 Ken was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest honour, for his wartime services. Ken returned to Canada in August of 2016 to be with members of his family. The past two years have been full of family events, including birthdays, attendance at November 11 commemoration services, picnics and get-togethers on holidays such as Christmas, New Years and Easter. He will be sorely missed for his contributions to family life. Ken is predeceased by wives Mary and Una and his eldest son Robin. Survived by 5 children; Zoe (Bowie), Valentine, Christopher, Lochinvar and Honey. Grandchildren; James, Arran (Brownlee), Corran (Brownlee), Annan McLachlan, in laws Doug (Bowie), Jeannie Kelly (Brownlee), Russell McLachlan. Four great-grandchildren; Kingston, Oban (Brownlee), Oran (McLachlan), Rogan (McLachlan). A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 8, 2018, 10 am at Eden Brook Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Kenneth to the Naval Museum of Alberta Society, thus preserving the memory of what Ken and all veterans did for this world.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kenneth Gordon Sturdy 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta