Obituary of Kevin Spelay

The family of Kevin Spelay of Calgary, sadly announce his passing on September 1, 2023. He was 57 years of age.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. from the Yorkton City Cemetery.

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August 1, 1966 – September 1, 2023

The family of Kevin Spelay, of Calgary, sadly announce his passing on September 1, 2023. He was 57 years of age. Kevin was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the eldest child of Allan and Rosie Spelay. After the birth of his sister, Cindy and brother, Darren, the family moved to Yorkton. Kevin was a member of the Yorkton Air Cadets, where he dreamed of one day being a pilot. After graduating from Sacred Heart in 1984, Kevin worked at the Yorkton Co-op as a gas attendant to save up money for school. He sought studies of the Earth at the University of Saskatchewan, attaining a Bachelor's of Science in Geology. After convocation, Kevin moved to Calgary where he worked in the oil field as a Directional Drilling Engineer. Kevin moved to Alaska in 1999, where he continued to work in the oil industry and put his years of hunting to good work as an Outfitter. Kevin than moved back to Canada and resided in Cochrane. His work had him constantly travelling but had Cochrane as his foundational hub to call home.

Kevin’s true passion was flying. He obtained his pilot’s license in 2007 and enjoyed his career as a commercial pilot, working as close as Alberta and as far away as Texas, Nashville, and Russia. He retired in 2016 and spent many years passing the time camping and hiking and recreational flying with fellow pilots. Kevin loved to hike the trails at Heart Mountain, where he felt close to his late sister, Cindy.

Kevin built a good life for himself and led life on his own terms. He was surrounded by many friends that loved him dearly and they could always count on Kevin to be there for them to help in whatever way he could…..like building She Sheds, fences, bar carts, fix equipment on a ranch, teach their kids to ride dirt bikes and take them riding and flying; join them in their family gatherings, BBQ’s, flying tours and boating trips.

Kevin often joined his close-knit group of pilot friends at his favourite watering hole in Cochrane, Ducks on the Roof and one can see why it was his favourite. If you are ever there, stop in and have a toast to Kevin.

Kevin leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life, his brother, Darren (Karen) and his nieces, Madison and Zoe (Rutvik) of Saskatoon. As well as aunts, uncles and cousins from both the Spelay and Hrehorak sides of the family.

SPELAY: Aunt Marion (Ray) Halushka, daughter, Sharon (Mark) and their daughters Cayla and Cassidy Schramm of Saskatoon; Aunt Emily (husband Bill, deceased) Spelay, and son, Darcy and children, Gabriel of Edmonton, and Kelly (Jackie) and their children, Shaylene, Joshua, and Jesse of Regina. Cousins Jodi Spelay (husband Pete Hartridge, deceased) of Saskatoon, Brent Spelay of Yorkton, and Darrell Spelay (Kim) and their children, Brandi (Curtis) McManus and children, Ty and Kale McManus, and Michelle and Shannon Spelay of BC children of Blaine Spelay (deceased). Susan (Brant) Srochenski and their son, Taylor (Bryn) of Regina; and Connie (Lloyd) Baranesky and their son, Brendan of Beaumont, AB; Pat (Doug) Feruson of Vernon and their children Michelle and Mark of Saskatoon; Aunt Iris (Lorne Deceased) Spelay of Kelowna and their children Gordon (Ellen) of Surrey, BC and Cameron(Cindy-Ann) of Midway BC.

HREHORAK: Aunt Ellen (Pitura), and children, Joanne Pitura and Wayne Pitura of Yorkton. Aunt Gloria (Pelkey) Kowalchuk and daughter, Sherry Hrehorak of Yorkton. Cousins Charmaine (Al) Mehling and their children Sara (Steve, Jocelyn and Noah), Ashley (Dakota), and Amber of Yorkton; Colette (Ralph) Karapita and their children Nicole, Melissa (Michael and Mya), Michael, and Mitchell of Yorkton; Robert of Grand Prairie; and Justin of Calgary.

Kevin will also be dearly missed by his friends and fellow pilots at the Springbank Airport by Calgary, Alberta and his many friends in Cochrane and Edmonton. Deborah Smelquist; Ed/Christine and family; Nicole and son Jared (Olivia); Ralph, Shawna, Geoff/Janet; Cheryl; Julie; Ron C and family; Bill; Bruce; Brent;Scott C;Bob F; Don M and so many more that enriched his life.

Kevin is predeceased by his loving parents Allan and Rosie (Joyce Hrehorak) of Yorkton and sister, Cynthia of Calgary. Also predeceased, were cherished aunts and uncles, Lorne Spelay, Steve (Mildred) Spelay; William (Bill) Spelay; Iris (Eugene) Teslia, Gordon Spelay, Sylvia (Walter) Ukrainetz, Ellen (Peter) Pitura; as well as cousin, Blaine Spelay. Close Friends Ken, Terry and Robin.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Yorkton City Cemetery.