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
To Claidia and Family
Our condolences.
Kelly you will be sadly missed by those of us who had the good fortune to know you, and, work with you. You always took the time and effort to assist, encourage and to guide me in my work within the RCMP. You always were fascinated by the cases, and, successes that our Unit resolved. No better boss could we have, and we give thanks for that. Kelly, you were a real gentleman. God Bless.
Bob Cockrell, Sgt.ret.
Kelly will always be in our hearts. I treasure the moments we had together during our visits, whether here on the prairies or there on the island. Like our parents, he was taken too soon but it is not for us to question God’s plan. I take comfort in knowing he is at peace and life continues. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Claudia, Marina, Kellianne, and family. He was a good brother, husband, father, and grandfather.
Kelly came into my life as a newborn and spent his first days at our house. Although we were not in touch for a long time, I did have some time to get to know him better. My heart breaks for you in your sorrow.
Kelly was the kindest, gentle, man who cared for his fellow man and country –and mostly his loving family.
The world is a better place because of Kelly.
My love and prayers are for you, Claudia and family.
.
Cousin Marie
I was very saddened to hear of Kelly’s passing. I only met him a few times but I was struck by his friendliness and the fact he was a “true gentleman”. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Hey gang so sorry to hear about Kelly. Thinking of you all. Have lots of good memories of the times we had together up here in Courtenay and down in Victoria. I remember one spring I took him fishing out front here in the 12 ft. aluminum, so now imagine Kelly in a 12 ft aluminum, poor guy was kissing his knees for 3 hours. We did get some blue backs that day. I know my life has certainly been made richer having known him, even though we had to listen to his jokes and guitar playing with vocals. Will always remember him and when I do it brings a smile to my face……Cheers Rick
it is with heavy hearts, that we are writing this to the Folk family. We had the honor of meeting Kelly through our son & daughter in- law Claudia. Kelly was a very pleasant and humble man, we enjoyed our talks with Kelly and enjoyed our time with him. To his beautiful wife Claudia and daughters, extended family our heart felt sympathies go out to you of the the passing of a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. Rest In Peace Kelly and watch over your loving family from above.
It must be unimaginable loss. This Gentle Man always had a lovely smile for me, my husband and our kids. We were neighbors for 19 years and we will miss you Kelly dearly. It was way to soon! We will try take a good care of your lovely wife Claudia. We will always remember you, the candle is burning for you right mow in our home.
Dearest Claudia and family, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. it is such a hard time in our lives when we loose some one we love. My thoughts and prayers are with you and may Jehovah comfort you all.
much love joy
Our family would like to send our Blessing to Kelly, he was a dear Cousin.
It was wonderful to get reunited with him and end up on this Island together, where we have had so many lovely Dinners and family gatherings together.
We thank Claudia for all of the support that she give him through his difficult times, and know that he is in a better place with no more suffering.
I will always cherish our times together.
Our love and prays go to Claudia and the family.
Going to miss my Brother in “Law”.