Would like to give my condolences to the Ryan Family for the passing of Kevin!
A little blast from the past; I met Kevin in kindergarten, went through grade school, junior high and high school with him. We were in a lot of classes together through the years. So, I have to say I knew him pretty good at that time in our lives
Yes, I remember the grueling math classes in grade school, learning and being tested and timed every day on the times tables ….yuck!….(No time to think AUTOMATIC) Doing long division by hand with no air conditioning!….Just brutal. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s we didn’t have iPhones and calculators, they weren’t invented yet. I think it was about grade ten we were given a slide ruler to do the math, one step up from an abacus. Finally in grade twelve we hit the jackpot, got to use a basic calculator for our computations. So, yes, we were in the trenches learning together. I can understand why he may have over compensated with his children on the times table …. I too did it with my daughters. Never know when the power goes out. lol
We were in cubs and scouts together at Triwood. Kevin was a jokester and prankster even back in the day. There were times when we were camping at Camp Chief Hector or Spray Lakes, where some of his pranks ended up getting himself in real trouble….yikes! (We didn’t have time out in those days.)
After high school, before the movie “Risky Business” and before DISCO was COOL, Kevin got into bartending. One bar he worked at “the Bank” on 8th Ave, customers always liked to sit at the bar when he was working. This is about the time he transitioned into being a magician. He was hilarious…. I must say Kevin definitely was at home behind the bar entertaining. Probably one of the best bartenders in Calgary. (population at the time est. 360k).
As the years passed our paths unfortunately did not cross. Although, when I moved back to Calgary in and around 2008 I did come across Kevin’s parents, Pat and Muriel. I would see them at the Triwood Stampede Breakfasts, have dinner with them at Triwoods Dinner Theatre, run into Pat at the bank or London Drugs. I would always ask about Kevin, Kirk and the girls and what they were up too. They always graciously were able to give me the Coles notes on the family. So, in a way I knew he was doing just fine.
I too will miss him! My memories of him will last forever. I’m sure when it is my time, he will have my drink ready for me! A good bartender always knows your drink of choice! Cheers buddy!!
Nickname: Gutsy
Grant Schultz
August 11, 2024
P.S. Never thought of you as a heart throb like Tom Cruise …. Shows you what I know … lol
