Ken Waterhouse
Feb. 2, 1950 – April 29, 2024
Laughter, love, family, friends, music, Go Oilers!!, laughter, laughter and more laughter is how Ken lived his life everyday.
Ken was so many things to so many people….his humour and kindness arriving in the room almost before he did. He treated all of us the same whatever your walk of life. Everyone has a Ken story to tell with big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.
Ken was a father, grandfather, brother, partner, uncle, nephew, cousin, musician, entrepreneur, friend and so much more with an incredibly big and warm personality. Ken lived a full life.
Ken was born in Banff in 1950 on Groundhog’s Day to Jean Isobel Mcleod and Hal Henry Waterhouse, joining sibling Ron and followed soon by Lois. Hal passed away in 1951 and Jean and the children lived in the back of their home and rented out rooms to Hans Moser, A.Y. Jackson and others from the Banff School of Fine Arts. The iconic Lizzie Rummel was their babysitter.
Ken’s boundless energy showed up early and Jean being a single Mom, would send him to Aunt Rae and Uncle Hershel’s farm in the summer…Ken thought it was because he loved it there.
In 1960, Jean married Jim Walls bringing children Brenda, Peter and Glenn together with Ron, Ken and Lois, into a bustling home.
Ken’s musical career started at the age of 8 with Emil Yurasek teaching him guitar on the front porch. Those moments sparked a life long love of playing music that continued up until a few weeks ago when Ken and Shane Coultis sang their final performance together.
Ken and Shane were members of a few bands through the years: The Elastic Band, Alberta Slim and the Subterranean Sound, The Reason Why, Thaquery Rock and, the long lasting, Kenny and Shane duo.
Ken’s grandfather James Irving Mcleod and Bill Warren started Rocky Mountain Tours and Transport Co. in 1921, which then amalgamated with Brewster Transport Co. in 1957. The RMTT original ticket office and garage is still present today on Banff Avenue. It is in the ticket sales section of the same building that Ken and his brother Ron started The Scoop Ice Cream and Doughnut House.
The Scoop was a thriving business and social hub for Banffites and visitors, young and old. When you purchased a doughnut, coffee, freshly squeezed lemonade, OJ, ice cream cone or nutty buddy, you got the added value of a quick one liner or an entertaining conversation, and the laughter was always free.
After the Scoop closed Ken and Ron partnered with Sandy Maclaren and Bob Barrie and acquired Bumper’s the Beefhouse. “If you haven’t been to Bumper’s, you haven’t been to Banff” and everyone felt welcome in both the restaurant and the Bump Bar.
Between the two businesses, many Banff locals as well as many university students from across Canada, got a start in the service industry, worked summers or continued full time for many years.
Ken and friends celebrated life in Hawaii, Arizona. Kalamalka Lake, Barbados, Mexico, at the Marathon of Hopeless and participated in many other escapades.
Ken semi-retired and he loved spending time at his cabin in Tretheway on Lake Windermere with family, his cousin, dear friends and beloved neighbours. Waterskiing, surfing and just spending hours on the water was his happy place, whether his boat was filled with his children, grandchildren, friends or just heading out for a solo sunset ride.
Behind the laughter and stories, Ken enjoyed the tradition of celebrating holidays with family and friends, sparring with Oilers rivals, hosting Super Bowls, Stanley Cups and Grey Cups with food, family and good company.
Ken leaves behind his forever partner in life of 35 years, Alison Milroy, his children, Rick (Kelley), Kendall (Joe), Lynsey (Justin), Evan and Kyle, and Jacqueline (Mo), his grandchildren, Owen, Jack, Zoey, Hunter and Xavier, his sister Lois (Erich) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his deeply loved friends.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Hal Waterhouse, Jean Waterhouse/Walls, Jim Walls and siblings Ron Waterhouse, Brenda and Peter Walls and beloved dogs Larson, Java and Rusty.
A sincere thank you for Dr. Henning, Dr. Khan, Misty, Sarah, Dr. Mack, Dr. Bouchard, Unit 41B staff from the Tom Baker and Foothills Hospital and all Banff Mineral Springs Hospital staff, your knowledge and compassion is so greatly appreciated.
A special thank you to Lindsey from the Banff Community Health Centre Homecare for your unwavering support, intelligence, and care. Your humorous relationship with Ken these past few years was truly special and we are forever grateful for your commitment to Ken as a patient and friend.
A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 25th at the Banff Park Lodge Ballroom from 2 to 5 pm, program starting at 2:30 pm, reception to follow. Please RSVP to [email protected] before May 23rd to allow us to plan for the number of attendees. There are preferred hotel rates available for out-of-town guests, please use the email to inquire.
Friends wishing to remember Ken are encourage to make a donation, in his memory, to either the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital Palliative Room (see below for details*) and to the University of Calgary Integrated Sarcoma Research Program iSARP (https://www. engage.ucalgary.ca/iSARP)
*By Cheque, Payable to: Covenant Foundation, Message on cheque: In memory of Ken Waterhouse for BMSH Palliative Care Room, Drop or addressed to: Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, 305 Lynx Street, Box 1050, Banff, AB T1L 1H7
Online - Donate Now - Covenant Foundation (canadahelps.org)
Donation Details: 03 – Facility: Banff Mineral Springs Hospital
Dedication Info: In memory of Ken Waterhouse for BMSH Palliative Care Room
