CSEC vice-chair Ken King dies at 68

Former president and CEO and current vice-chair of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation Ken King has died, the organization has announced.

King, 68, had been fighting cancer but remained front and center during recent Flames arena negotiations.

“Ken was the right leader at the right time for CSEC. His leadership and passion was exhibited every day in his successful delivery of the new Calgary event centre,” said CSEC Chairman and Co-Owner Murray Edwards. “He was a trusted confidant to all of the Flames owners, both past and present, and we all learned so much from him. My partners and I will miss our frequent conversations with our dear friend.”

Having joined the Flames as president and CEO in 2001, the native of Hanley, Sask. was a giant in the Calgary community. King oversaw the Flames organization helping to build and grow sports in the city all the while serving on numerous community boards including the TELUS Community Board, the Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, and the Calgary Flames Foundation.

John Bean, president and CEO of the CSEC called King and “amazing friend and mentor.”

“He taught all of us so much through his words and actions. An organization never replaces a person like Ken; you simply honour him by going forward with the same passion and energy that he brought to work each and every day.”

Prior to join Flames organization, King held a 30-year career in the newspaper industry that included positions as the president and publisher of the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun.

King leaves behind his wife, Marilyn, daughters Amanda and Jocelin, and grandchildren.

On Twitter: @zjlaing