KINNEAR, Michael
1996 – 2025
Mr. Michael James Kinnear of Red Deer, Alberta passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the age of 28 years. Michael will be remembered always for his sense of humour, kindness and willingness to help others: Family, friends and kids in the community. His extreme love of his pets, from dogs and cats to fish and birds, was indicative of his compassionate and caring personality. Being out in nature, hunting and fishing with his dad, bros, and friends, were some of his passions, but he had so much energy and so many interests, that his life was as diverse as it could have been. Summers from infancy through late teen years spent at the family cabin at Jackfish Lake, swimming, tubing, water skiing, boarding, kayaking, and playing with Biggie the dog, were no doubt responsible for his love of nature, because having no TV for that month inspired outdoor activities. When inclement weather was experienced, whole days were consumed playing board games and eating delicious homemade meals. His love of board games extended throughout his life, with his family and with a group of friends that got together to play them regularly. Games did not stop there, and Michael spent many happy hours either with family, friends, or on his own playing video games (cute, funny, challenging and entertaining ones), and in recent years bowling became a passion as well. He had a great sense of humour, but he also loved scary books and movies…a good adrenaline rush made him smile. Every summer from infancy to late teens, a family camping trip (tenting), usually at OK Falls, B.C., was another several weeks without electronics. Michael thoroughly enjoyed being as physically fit as possible, competing with his dad and bros to be the fastest, strongest and to try for the most endurance. Jumping off the old railway bridge, biking down the trails, swimming, tubing down the canal, or digging in the sand at the beach, with campfires and fresh air, camping was an annual summer highlight. Hockey was the winter highlight, and Michael worked hard at all the practices and games from age five through to the end of high school…and then played in fun leagues and reffed. He reffed inline well into his 20’s, as he had discovered inline hockey was just as fun as regular hockey during high school. As a youth he taught hockey skills with the Val Norrie Program, helping young athletes to excel. He participated in a before-school program at Notre Dame High School called ‘Fit 4 Life’ and completed the 360 km ride through the mountains with that group several times. He had a love of music, and was incredibly talented with a trumpet, but there just were not enough hours in the day to do everything he wanted to do, so the band, jazz band, and band camp were left behind, and his trumpet was retired after middle school…but his rendition of Reveille at Remembrance Day in the Camille J. LeRouge School Gymnasium was played hauntingly beautifully that last year. He had no fear of public speaking, and at the final gathering for high school was given an award after having been one of the courageous few to stand up and speak on behalf of his grade to the teachers and staff…in French, as he was in the bilingual group. Smart and self-motivated he went to Fairview College at age 17, and soon became a Power Engineer, graduating with distinction, which he considered to be his greatest achievement so far. For a year he applied to Nova Chemicals, while keeping busy as a farm hand (never idle), and then joined his father to work full time at Nova in his chosen career. He was so happy. He got his first kitten, Andy, and his first puppy, Rookie, and loved them with all his heart. He said the best day of his life was when he brought Rookie home. His proudest moment was purchasing a beautiful home. He had not yet found a soulmate (though he did come close once) and had not yet had the chance to have children. His willingness to do any job, take extra shifts as necessary, and his good-humoured intelligence (complete with jokes and tricks) made him a well-loved teammate. He was extremely enthusiastic about his vehicles: Trucks, cars and a motor bike; one highlight being auto-cross racing (he liked making his passengers scream!). He was loud and proud, and it is with extreme sadness that his life was snuffed out so soon. He lived well until he discovered alcohol and fast food in college… and then he continued to live a little too well until they overcame him. He put his heart and soul into recovering, attending Thorpe, but had damaged his body badly. That, along with overworking and overwhelming himself with more pets…and trying to do it all by himself, caused his early demise. Like Icarus he flew too close to the sun. Michael is survived by his parents, Jim and Diane Kinnear; his brothers, Alexander and Christopher Kinnear; his nephew, Fox Kinnear; and numerous loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sleep well Michael.
A Celebration of Michael’s Life will be held at 1:00p.m. on Wednesday, September 24th, what would have been his 29th birthday. It will take place in the Lookout Room, second level of Westerner Park, above the pavilions, overlooking where Michael participated in auto-cross racing. A service elevator is available for anyone unable to climb stairs. Any stories to share about Michael are welcome. Please submit them to counselor.diane.kinnear@gmail.com We will have an Emcee, who will be happy to read them out if you are unable to attend, or shy about reading them yourself. If desired, Memorial Donations in Michael’s honor may be made directly to the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at www.albertaspca.org. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2025-09-05
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com