He touched the lives of so many people & the city of Edmonton will always be a more beautiful place because of him. 

AMANDA & ALEX, THE EDMONTON JOURNAL OBITUARY || 05.25.19

Edmonton Mayor, Don Iveson, acknowledged the passing of the local Architect at a city council mtg.

"Brad was a man of integrity who leaves behind a legacy of design that will never be forgotten."

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A moment of silence was held for Brad.

I've worked with Brad off and on for many years before he started his own business. He was a lovely man to work with and it is not a surprise that he went on to be such a successful architect/business owner. He will be missed in the architectural community. 

JANETTE, THE EDMONTON JOURNAL OBITUARY

 05.24.19

We live in the wonderful house Brad designed for us. He was a very kind and talented man.

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DOUG & CAROLYN, THE EDMONTON JOURNAL OBITUARY 05.27.19

God brings people into Your Life For a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.

People that guild and change your course, impact your future, give you a fresh perspective, challenge you, believe in you, help mold you into the person you are today and simply make your life better for knowing them. 

FOR ME, THAT WAS BRAD.

Brad recruited me to work for him in 2013 and I had the honor and privilege of working as his Executive Assistant. He was an incredible friend, boss, mentor, amazing father, and loving husband. Working with Brad made me fall in love with architecture and interior design. We spent hours together for years going to meetings, work events, city council, and EDC presentations... I soaked up as much knowledge and wisdom as I could from him which has in turn immensely assisted with my career today in real estate. He was always one phone call or text away to help me with any questions I had or give me advice. Even after I left Kennedy - Architecture & Design to pursue a different career path we would get together for wine to catch up & he never missed a personal milestone or birthday.

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[...] BK - Thank you for showing Shawn and I so much love, for your generosity and impacting our lives in a way you’ll never truly know. Thank you for spending countless hours and way too many chicken wings with Shawn mentoring him.

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BK, YOU WERE TRULY ONE IN A MILLION

Every time I look at a set of architectural drawings, every time I look at the Pearl Tower, The Symphony Tower, or go to Celebration Church, I’ll think of you and how blessed I was to have known you and learn from you. You’ll be immensely missed by many... you have left your footprint on our hearts forever.

SEE YOU IN HEAVEN BIG GUY
 

YOUR FRIEND, JB 🖤

He truly was one in a million and we are all the better for having had him as a friend for many years! His wonderful and creative way of telling exceptional stories is one thing we will definitely miss...amongst many other things.

SHANNON, FACEBOOK || 05.28.19

I was a colleague with Brad while on the Consulting Architects of Alberta board. It is with great sadness I heard of the news. Our industry lost a clear leader and a moral, upstanding person who led our organization with honor and respect.

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LINUS, THE EDMONTON JOURNAL || 05.24.19

[Brad] made a tremendous impact on my life with the amazing example of humility, wisdom, and servant leadership he displayed! He spoke into my life many times and I am so thankful that I had the honor and privilege of being his friend! I will never forget the very first Gideons conference I was at with my ripped jeans and t-shirt on, surrounded by 'older men' who were dressed in suits, and your dad stood up on the microphone and pointed to me and Merv and said, "this is the future of the Gideons ministry." He always believed in and empowered the next generation!

CASEY, FACEBOOK || 05.28.19

I always looked up to your dad.

CHET,  FACEBOOK || 05.28.19

I will remember Brad as a brilliant, loyal, kind man that loved God and his family. I will miss him dearly.

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DEBBIE, FACEBOOK || 05.21.19

A letter was written to our family from a client and business associate. It would never have occurred to me Brad would have cultivated such a treasured relationship with a client. It appears he seemed to always seek after meaningful connections with each person he crossed paths with. 

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David shared, "My goal was to convey how much Brad meant to me, and indeed many of us, personally and professionally, but I can't seem to formulate the words."

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"When I reflect back on the lives of my parents, I often wonder what they were like and how they were viewed by others while in their prime years—its a perspective that few children truly get. I hope I can do Brad justice in the words that follow."

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Interspersed throughout the following condolences are excerpts from that letter I was given permission to share from DAVID.

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I am a fellow Gideon [...] the Gideon's changes made under his leadership have made a significant impact with this organization and is a legacy that is having a very positive affect in the world.

LARRY, THE EDMONTON JOURNAL OBITUARY || 05.24.19

[Brad] was an amazing man and always kind and gracious.

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INGRID,  FACEBOOK || 05.21.19

Long live the legend and legacy of UB. Proud of what he has accomplished and even more proud to call myself a Kennedy today. We will forever work hard to honour the legacy [he's] left us and work even harder to create out own.

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JEFF,eNEPHEW || 05.28.19

People in my office held Brad in high regard and attended his funeral. He will be missed by family, friends, business associates and the people of Edmonton.  

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MARIANN,  BEAM CRAFT TIMBER FRAMING  ||  06.02.19

I loved him very much and will miss him dearly. We grew up only a year apart in age and enjoyed so many times together from working out, to waterskiing and barefooting at the lake, riding our dirt bikes at the acreage, to church youth group activities and family holidays.

Once we had our own families, our kids became close with their cousins and enjoyed so many of the same activities that we did and we vacationed together and kept the friendship strong. He modeled a life of faith to his 4 grown children who in turn have all put their faith and trust in God and who look forward to seeing their dad again someday. He taught his kids to be confident, strong, capable and fearless and has left a tremendous legacy for his children.

Those who were fortunate to work with Brad were inspired by his creativity, compassion and generosity. Brad loved his city and has left his mark on Edmonton and it’s skyline!

Life is fragile but God is good and promises to sustain us in difficult times. We are trusting Him for that.

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BROTHER,  SHELDON  ||  05.24.19

When I think of Brad, a man of honesty and integrity comes to mind... A friend and business associate who made a life long impact on me. He is going to leave an immeasurable void at KENNEDY and all across Edmonton. Brad, you've won the race and crossed the finish line to Heaven; too early albeit but God had a plan

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SHARON, THE EDMONTON JOURNAL OBITUARY || 05.24.19

Brad was instrumental in shaping the vision of the Canadian Gideon association during the formative time when the ministry became autonomous from The Gideons International. 

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Brad led with integrity and wisdom and has been an inspiration to so many of us, from coast to coast. The imprint of his influence on re-shaping and re-energizing this ministry is in countless places, and his unique perspective on how to capture and extend the essence of the Gideon ministry will be greatly missed. 

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THE  GIDEONS  INT.  IN  CANADA  ||  05.21.19

My perspective of [Brad]  has almost exclusively related to board meetings, starting from 2011 and onward.

I always loved the way he articulated "vision" in a way that de-cluttered the entanglements of the conversations or debates. He saw things differently, visualized them differently, and was able to verbalize them in his own, unique way--and it always seemed to help bring clarity to where we needed to go. Like turning the elephant in the room around and saying, "Guys, what would happen if we looked at it like this instead...does that get closer to what it is we're after?" I guess it's just the way his brain was wired -- but it was such a gift to the meetings he was a part of. And it was an amazing gift to the Gideon ministry -- at just the right time. 

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KELVIN, GIDEONS STAFF MEMBER || 05.21.19 

He has contributed to society and furthered our city more than most can ever hope to. He is and will remain an inspiration to those want to grow our city as he did. 

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ZIAD, EDMONTONIAN & FRIEND OF AMY || 06.13.19

In the midst of the storm, a voicemail came through to my iPhone. 

"Dave, Joey's Restaurant, tonight... Cya there!" 

It was Brad.

Like many times before,

I knew the time,

I knew the place,

and I knew who was calling.

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DAVE, 06.11.19

TEC CANADA

is an association that acts as a ‘safe harbor for business leaders to receive advice and support.’

Brad joined TEC in recent years and developed deep friendships with fellow business owners in Edmonton that provided support for Brad in ways that many other people in his life could not. Members of his small local group sent us their memories and experiences spending time with Brad. In my grandpa’s words, ‘We thought we knew Brad, but we were wrong.’ This was a whole other world of his we didn’t really know much about. Thank you to the Edmonton TEC group for taking care of him. 

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The following are excerpts from tributes contributed by the Edmonton TEC group. 

I’ve looked up to Brad since I joined TEC. His personality, charisma, sincerity, and insightfulness made me want to become a better leader and a better person.

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They say the true test of someone’s character is how they act in the face of terrible adversity. Brad faced business and personal challenges over the last year and a half that would be difficult for the best of us to overcome. I thought many times about how difficult and stressful his day to day must have been. However, my respect for him grew, even more, to watch him stay positive and find small victories to celebrate. 

He was a man of incredible determination and resilience and that is how I will always remember him. 

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BRYCE, PRECISION ENGINEERING, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

Brad has been someone that I looked up to from the day I first met him at TEC. He was one of the first people that walked up to me and introduced himself. Brad was an empathetic, caring human being. 

He was thoughtful, his conversation genuine, and he truly cared about each and every one his TEC members well-being, successes and challenges. 

He always had deep, insightful wisdom to share about topics of discussion, and I really looked up to Brad for that. I never wanted to follow Brad’s commentary on a particular subject, because he always provided great, insightful advice along with beautiful stories that no-one could top! He was an amazing communicator. 

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 DON , GET YARDSTICK, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

Brad believed in surrounding himself with great people, and that is certainly evident with the team at KENNEDY. What impressed me the most about Brad was his resiliency. Brad navigated through tough business challenges with patience, confidence, and creativity, and at the same time, managed tough personal issues with respect, sympathy, and love. I really looked up to Brad for this, he was so strong. 

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But the thing I will always remember Brad for the most is how he loved his family so much. I was fortunate to have a long morning coffee with Brad not long ago, and he talked so much about his amazing kids, how he was blessed to have them, how proud he was of them for their accomplishments, how he loved them and cared about each and every one of them so much. 

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I am deeply saddened by this event, but I am also grateful and blessed to have met such a warm, caring, talented business and family man. 

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The Legacy he leaves behind, we should all be very proud of. 

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DON, GET YARDSTICK, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019  

As someone involved in the development business, I have a particular appreciation for what Brad has accomplished. In fact, the first property that my wife and I owned was in a building that Brad designed. 

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Brad’s work fills up much of the Edmonton skyline and his stamp on the city will not be forgotten. 

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Brad’s office was also designed in a manner to maximize employee comfort and engagement, this is something that also speaks to what type of person he was. 

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DHRUV, AKASH HOMES, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

I first met Brad at Kennedy Create while he was hosting an early TEC342 meeting. He was so welcoming and made me feel comfortable joining the group. 4 months later we had our first retreat at Jasper Park Lodge. It was there that Brad really took the time to learn about myself and my family and the struggles I personally went through in 2016, and his interest in my story was genuine. He showed great compassion and managed to help me bring some laughter to the situation. After that retreat I felt a special connection to him, and was always amused and amazed at his thought process and comments when issue processing. His mind went somewhere very special when he was considering problems, and that is a talent that only a few share. 

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Being put in our TEC subgroup “Bravo” with Brad & Michelle was a blessing. We got to know each other on a much deeper level, and Brad was tongue in cheek dubbed ‘The 3rd best girlfriend’ by his own doing! He shared his troubles, his love of his family, and his positive outlook on the future with us. 

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I am going to miss Brad terribly, but with a lifetime of love and guidance to his children, I know they will journey on solid in the path he set for them.

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ASHLEY, TECHNI-CRAFT EQUIPMENT SERVICES LTD., TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

 I was fortunate to have known Brad in a business relationship prior to joining TEC. Getting to know him better over the past year turned out to be much more than I expected. 

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Brad led with compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of people. Qualities that we all quickly picked up on and admired. 

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He was a great balance to the group. One of my favourite meeting moments was when the group was discussing an issue and the room sort of paused, looking to Brad for one of his profound insights. While he sat there pondering his thoughts, it was pointed out that there was a pot light behind his head shining down on him in just the perfect way, blending together his environment and his input, just as he has done so many times through his work. 

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DAVID, COMPUVISION, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

Our TEC group will forever miss the impactful presence of Brad Kennedy, a natural leader with an extraordinary passion to create and shape the world we live in. Brad’s legacy includes numerous architectural achievements that reflect his intelligence, ideas, and creativity, but he also lives on in the personal impact he has had on so many, including myself. 

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He demonstrated gratitude for all the gifts he had received in his life. Perhaps most notably his family. Brad spoke glowingly about his four children. It was evident that he cherished them and the simple mention of their names appeared to fill his heart with joy.

DAVID,  PRIMED MEDICAL PRODUCTS, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

Brad was such a fighter, persistent beyond others, and fiercely loyal to his family and his company.

I didn't have the privilege of knowing Brad for long, just joining this TEC group six months ago. But even in that short time, was deeply struck by the unusual combination of Brad's unmistakable talent, incredible resolve, and tender heart. 

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Brad taught us what it means to be humble, resilient, and full of gratitude no matter what the situation. He seemed to handle hardship with a deep well of resilience and grace, never wavering in his commitment to care and provide for the best interests of his family and his people. 

I personally feel that I missed out on so much by not getting to experience Brad's friendship for longer. It's clear by hearing the tributes from his children that Brad has left a long-lasting impression in the hearts of his children. He's left an equally significant legacy in this city through his integrity, reputation, and dedication to the quality of his work.

MICAH, LIFT INTERACTIVE, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

In our brief association with the TEC group I felt that I had met a person with so many similar views on what was important in life. He developed an environment that would be a pleasure to work in and in turn made our city a better place. 

After four decades of being in my own business I am still impressed with what we build. Nevertheless I am envious of what Brad had accomplished in a much shorter time, but I am happy to know that the people of Edmonton will be able to enjoy the positive difference Brad has left as his legacy. 

It was a great pleasure to finally meet Brad’s parents and his children. When I listened to their stories, I heard many signs of Brad’s influence. They all have had a good starting point, and I’m sure they will make their father proud. 

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KELLY, 5BLUE, TEC GROUP  ||  MAY 2019

Brad was the most talented architect that I've ever worked with. He was able to grasp all of the design complexities and balance them with a business case while creating innovative designs acceptable to owners and communities alike.

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DAVID, CLIENT & FRIEND

Brad shaped our city and our skyline. He was a dreamer and larger than life. If not for Brad's leadership, vision and motivation, many of our projects would've been something less than their full potential. He was figuratively and literally a city builder. 

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DAVID, CLIENT & FRIEND

[Amy] When I first started at Weca, [Brad] came alongside of me, and for the first three years that I was there he would take me out for lunch or breakfast every month. We talked about all kinds of things, but it was always a highlight for me as he so calmly and articulately would help guide and encourage me as I walked out life and ministry. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without his counsel.And I can see in you so many of those same qualities. [...] Your compassion for people, your incredible intuitiveness, your gentle yet confident demeanor, and your unwavering passion for God are just a couple of the things that stood out to me. 

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DAVE, YOUTH  PASTOR   ||  MAY 29, 2019

I've worked with Brad on many projects over the years, none bigger however than the 80 story tower.

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The site originally thought of as a low rise project, perhaps even an ambulance or fire house for the interim. It wasn't long until we convinced many that something noteworthy should be on site.

It seemed like we were nearing our goal until the City tried to expropriate us for a pocket park. We didn't give up. We only did we overcome the expropriation process, we convinced the City to sell us more land and create an iconic project, unlike anything else seen in the province, and indeed anywhere outside of Toronto.

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This big dream, an impossible task, would not have been possible without Brad's wisdom, passion, commitment, perserverence, strategic mind and creativity. 

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He never gave up. He made us all believe.

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DAVID, CLIENT & FRIEND

FUNERAL VIDEO

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02:23 - OPENING WORDS

PASTOR GLENN

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12:40 - DEWAYNE FLISS 

BRAD'S CLOSE FRIEND

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26:40 - SHELDON KENNEDY 

BRAD'S BROTHER

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45:25 - AMY KENNEDY 

BRAD'S DAUGHTER

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53:40 - JOSH KENNEDY 

BRAD'S SON

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01:03:50 - BEN KENNEDY 

 BRAD'S SON 

I've never seen anyone as driven as Brad was — he doesn't give up and always perseveres. He would work a problem, working it again and again and again until there was a reasonable solution. He then had a unique gift in simplifying a complex solution, making it bite sized and achievable for the rest of us. 

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DAVD, CLIENT & FRIEND

It was very emotional for me to listen to Brad tell the story of how they designed their office and named the various boardrooms around defining moments in history, what a strong message to both the team and his customers.

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Brad was also a master storyteller, and while other fumbled for responses to questions posed during presentations and discussions, Brad always seemed to have been given a “cheat sheet” in advance as he would deliver well thought out, multi-faceted responses that never ceased to amaze me. 

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My wife Carrie was also immediately drawn to Brad’s charisma and humor and he was always one of her favorite people to visit with and she always made sure to ask me how he was doing. His family and the Kennedy team should be proud of the legacy he leaves behind as he was truly a visionary leader.

TOD, HIKALIBRE EQUIPMENT, TEC GROUP

MAY 2019

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TO A FATHER IN THE SKY

Hello Brad,

I am writing in tears. You should not have left us this early. You had a long way to go. You should have stayed to finish what you had started.

I am blessed for knowing you and for being a part of KENNEDY's journey. For me, you were God's chosen person, to find and trust me. I remember it was December 2013, that I received a message from you on the LinkedIn website: Hoda are you still interested in an opportunity? Of course, I am! After applying for a lot of jobs and being rejected for not having "Canadian Experience", I needed a person to trust me and give me an opportunity. 

The interview was more like a friendly conversation. You said that you were going to hire me! I called my spouse in tears:

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"I FOUND A JOB.

WE CAN STAY HERE."

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It became easy after that, other opportunities, and where I am now. It is all because of your trust in me.

We kept in touch. I came for visits, you said there would always be a desk for me at KENNEDY. You interviewed my friends, you mentioned: any friend of Hoda is a friend of mine and that made me honored.

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Sometimes, special people come into our lives, even for a short time, but they play a huge role. They leave but they have a special place in our hearts. Brad, you would always have your place in a lot of people's hearts, and this is what matters.

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HODA