February 19,1943 – January 11, 2015
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a true “Gentle Man”. On Sunday, January 11, 2015, Kelly made his sacred journey to the arms of his Lord and Saviour. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Claudia PARISH and his two daughters, Marina Rosta (Manville Alta.) and Kellianne Stiller (Phil) of Nanaimo BC. Kelly was surrounded by his wife, daughters, 
son-in-law (Phil) and his sister-in-law, Maureen Parish. His passing was gentle in a way that reflected the way he lived his life. Leaving to mourn in Medicine Hat, Alta. are Kelly’s sister, Shirley Hart (Dave) and his brother, Garry Folk, (Marion). Kelly was a loving grandad to Geza, Killian, Liam and Saoirse Rosta, Andrew and Jessie Stiller and Taylor-Lee Stiller-O’Brien. He also leaves behind many nephews and nieces and his loving goddaughter/niece, Claudia Danyluk.
Kelly was born in Leader, Saskatchewan and spent his early years on the family farm near Richmound before his family moved to Medicine Hat where he completed high school. He joined the RCMP in 1962 and retired at the rank of Superintendent after 34 years of service in the Force. During his career, Kelly received a BA (Economics) degree from UVic and held a variety of administrative and Criminal Investigation positions across Canada. Those positions included Officer in Charge of Administration, Personnel, Finance and Informatics for the NWT. He was also the Officer in Charge of the Inuvik Subdivision before he returned to BC. Once back in BC, Kelly, served as the Officer in command of the ERT section and prior to retiring, he was the Officer in Charge of the RCMP’s Internal Audit. Kelly and Claudia also enjoyed many memorable occasions at BC’s Government House during Kelly’s position as Aide de Camp to Lieutenant-Governor, David Lam. He also served a term as president for the Greater Victoria United Way. In 1994, Kelly led the Police Security Operations for the Commonwealth Games. After his retirement, Kelly was a Special Investigator for Elections Canada for 8 years, and was also president of the Greater Victoria Police Chorus and the Greater Victoria RCMP Retired Officers’ Mess. He also was one of the first Officers to head up the Integrated Road Safety Unit for Vancouver Island. At the time of Kelly’s passing, he was an active member on the Board of Directors (Finance Committee), of the Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications (CREST). Kelly was skillfully treated by Drs. Herb Domke, Stephen Lundy, Paul Blood and Gary Dewar, during his illness and the family is grateful. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the Nursing staff at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, with a special mention to Dr Andrea Lewis.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2015. Flowers gratefully declined. Please donate to a charity of choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
41 Responses
Sending you my sincere condolences in these difficult times.
I didn’t know Kelly personally, but just reading all the stories and this tribute, he sure seemed to be a
very kind and true family man, with a passion for life. A lot of great memories and stories of his life to be celebrated.
We are sending you a lot of strength and love.
Claudia, Owen, Patrick and Maile Peters
Claudia, what a wonderful tribute to a remarkable man. Sending deepest condolences and good thoughts to you and your family. Love Sandra x
Our heartfelt condolences from Barb & Ray. I am a senior member of the Police Chorus and have known Kelly for many years. Kelly has always presented himself as a true gentleman; caring, compassionate. professional and always down to earth. As a former Mountie myself, I would have been PROUD to have served under his command. RIP Kelly; you are in a much better place; the Good Lord has another angel beside Him. (Barb & Ray).
So very sorry to hear of your loss. He seems to have been a “once in a century” kind of man. People die, but love does not die.
Although I never met Mr. Folk, he reached us in a big way down here in the States through Claudia. I admire his extraordinary accomplishments in service to his country and family and offer my sincere condolences to all of you during this difficult farewell.
Sending our love, sharing your sorrow.
To Claudia and Family
I was so sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. Even knowing that his health was deteriorating, Kelly maintained his dignity and never complained. He WAS a true gentleman and a good friend. We knew each other for most of our Service in the Force and worked together, in Victoria Sub/Division for the last few years that I served in the Force. I cherish the time we spent after retirement when we would go to lunch or attend official functions together. He was loyal to the Force right to the end. Kelly will be truly missed .
Great daily coffee Buddy for almost 10 years ! . Heard many interesting and funny stories of his past experiences, including very early farm & RCMP life. Rare to find a guy like that, straight as an arrow.. Many thanks, Killian, and BIG condolences to Claudia and the whole family. He is greatly missed !
My heart breaks for you..
I won’t bother with platitudes, I know none that will affect your feeling of loss or take away any of your pain.
I can only wish there were words for this thing, so I might say them to you.
Much love,
Your invisible friend,
Rex
I will love you forever Dad. Thank you for a life-time of love. You are forever in my heart. I think, in some ways, you really are, the best part of me. Love….your little monster. xxoxooxxo