Martin Kay

Herbert Martin Kay, KC

Martin (Marty) Kay was born in Vancouver in 1947. Growing up, his father’s career at CIBC kept them moving, to Invermere, Calgary, and eventually to Peace River for high school, where he represented his school on Reach for the Top, and where he met his future wife, Patti-Anne.

Marty went on to law school at the University of Alberta and later earned his LLM from the University of London, before returning to Calgary to begin work at Bennett Jones LLP, where he would remain through to his retirement. This was a momentous decision, as Patti-Anne had also moved to Calgary, to teach junior high. They quickly reconnected, and for the next 50+ years, seldom left each other’s sides – no marriage could be happier or more successful.

Marty went on to enjoy a distinguished career in law, becoming Partner and Head of Legal Research at Bennett Jones. He was directly involved in consequential mandates, such as the Dome Petroleum and Canadian Airlines restructurings, and appeared many times before the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. He was particularly enthusiastic about mentoring younger lawyers, and was responsible for launching and guiding the careers of many enjoying success today. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 1996.

Marty was active and generous with his time, teaching classes at the University of Calgary, serving on the board of the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild of Southern Alberta, Glenbow Museum Acquisitions Society, The Ranchmen’s Club, and more.

A devoted and enthusiastic collector and patron of the arts, Marty co-owned and was a driving force behind Kensington Fine Art Gallery, where much like his legal career, he struck a balance between showcasing established artists and providing new and young artists with opportunities and support.

In 2002, Marty gained some measure of renown in Calgary, when he was interviewed on television after putting himself at risk to successfully save a beloved pet from a fire, which consumed an entire city block.

While he played prominent roles in his community and career, his most meaningful role was as a kind, loving, and supportive father to his four children, a constant source of quiet strength. He was – and is – deeply loved and adored by his seven grandchildren, who treasured his gentle spirit.

While he spent his professional career in Calgary, Marty never lost touch with his west coast roots. In 1976, he and Patti-Anne purchased a neglected, hardscrabble lot on Pender Island, and over the years, transformed it into a seaside paradise, where his family treasured many happy years of retreats, vacations, and adventures – especially with Marty at the helm of the boat.

After retirement, Marty and Patti-Anne found their way back to the coast, first to Sidney on Vancouver Island, and more recently back to Vancouver, to the same neighbourhoods and pathways he remembered exploring with his grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Patti-Anne; children Kelli (Shane), Maclean (Melissa), Catherine (Pat), and Elizabeth (Jeff); grandchildren Will (Ana), Kai, Jaxon, Max, Annabelle, Ian, and Dylan; and his brother John.

A small memorial service will be held on at 11:00 am, Saturday February 28, at Immaculate Conception Church, 3778 West 28th Ave, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions to be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.