Kenny Frank Cugnet
Kenney Frank Cugnet passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday,
October 30 2014, at the age of 68 years.
Kenney was born November 9, 1945, 8 minutes after his twin brother,
Dick at St. Mary’s Hospital on Signal Hill. He was welcomed into this world
by loving parents George and Irene Cugnet, and older siblings, Bev and Bo-
bo. Upon discharge the twins settled into life on the range at the NE-18-7-
13 W2. Over the years the family continued to grow with the addition of
Doug and Janie. “Standing with the total thrust of the prairie sun on my vul-
nerable head, I guess I learned at a very young age, that I was mortal.”
(WO Mitchell) Ken spoke fondly of his childhood, one filled with love and
satisfaction, in spite of the difficult circumstances farm living presented. The
family originally occupied a two room tarpaper shack, eventually replaced
by an Eaton’s catalogue house that had been abandoned during the great
depression. Dad recalled waking up and seeing frost on his siblings’ faces
one brutally cold night. In hindsight Ken realized how impoverished his up-
bringing was, although he recalled wanting nothing as a child, his father
George often said that “being poor wasn’t bad, just hellish unhandy.” Dad
admired his parents for providing for so much family, with such limited
means. Many times George and Irene helped a neighbor or family member in need, and their generosity of time,
advice, and money, all in short supply, helped foster Kenney’s lifelong commitment to charity.
Ken attended Ralph school, and was proud to say that “he walked to school uphill.... both ways” a function of
the single room-school being on the other side of the valley. In school Kenney found a bigger audience to jest
and get reactions from. He has remained good-humored and entertaining right to the very end. In 1957 Ralph
School was shut down and Kenney began attending grade 7 at Queen Elizabeth in Weyburn, followed by the
Weyburn Collegiate. One of Ken’s fondest memories of Ralph School was learning the mantra “A quitter never
wins, and a winner never quits”. He relied on it for motivation at many difficult times throughout his life. Confront-
ed with a new environment and teachers, Kenney and Dick both struggled to adapt. After entering grade 10,
Kenney decided his future lay outside of school and withdrew midterm. Throughout his school career Ken strug-
gled with undiagnosed learning disabilities which ultimately led to a proud involvement with the Saskatchewan
Learning Disabilites Council. In spite of this, all who met Ken marveled at his remarkable intellect and love of
knowledge. A proud moment for Ken was his former principal stating that “I should have quit school when you
did, look at what you’ve accomplished.”
Ken was born of the last generation of pioneers and homesteaders. The neighbors and family of his childhood
represented many different nationalities and perspectives. The adjoining quarter section was home to “Skinny
Parsons” of “Who has Seen the Wind (WO Mitchell)” fame. In the absence of TV or I pads his thirst for knowl-
edge was quenched by learning the background stories and motivations of the many women and men who
called the Ralph area home. An appreciation for a good story, a shared laugh, and a genuine interest in people
would become hallmarks of any visit with Kenney. Amidst this idyllic upbringing on an isolated homestead south-
east of Weyburn, a man appeared with a backpack in 1952. He was a geologist named Neil Mcqueen, and he
had hiked from an existing oilwell in North Dakota, following surface indications along the Souris River to its
headwaters just south of the family farm. In later years Ken recalled that his future calling had arrived on sore
feet and full of ticks. In 1954 Central Del Rio spud a wildcat test on neighbors land in view of the farm. The men
they needed to work the rig came from faraway places, dragging their families with them. George recognized the
opportunity and began renting yard space for family trailers. To Kenney these men represented a new frontier,
one that could provide opportunity and adventure. The success of that wildcat and proliferation of wealth to such
an impoverished area was a miracle to the young boy who had so little. As Ken closed the door on formal
schooling, God opened a window into the workplace. Ken’s first oilfield job was working for GP Drilling on Garvey
Petroleum’s 4-24-7-14 W2 across the valley from the farm in 1962. In those days of large families and high un-
employment, there were so very few jobs available, so he worked for free to get the experience to ensure a paid
job on the next well. From the first well within sight of the farm to faraway Northern Alberta, Kenney worked rigs
each winter sending money home to his family to help pay farming expenses in summer. He was proud of this
work experience, drilling some of the very first wildcat wells in Northern Alberta, turning isolated Hudson Bay
trapping posts into larger communities today: Rainbow Lake, Bichteau Lake, Helmut. Throughout it all, he longed
to be farming in Ralph, recalling a particularly lonely hitch in Valleyview, Alberta as providing clarity for later life.
He recalled having a significant amount of money saved, but nothing to spend it on, and nobody to share it with.
As a result he came home to farm full time with his family, and to hopefully meet his equal one day.
In 1974 at the Soo Hotel in Weyburn he met Jo-Anne Bannatyne of Estevan. She was a public health nurse
working out of Weyburn. She was being introduced to his cousin, but ended up seated beside Kenney, and thus
began a forty year long conversation. From these auspicious beginnings a tremendous love blossomed. Jo-Anne
had prior commitments to travel to South America, but after several weeks of separation Kenney phoned her in
Paraguay, asked her to come home (his home) and marry him. Throughout many trials and tribulations, booms
and busts, they shared a mutual respect and love for each other that transcended ordinary marriage. In his mar-
riage to Jo-Anne, Ken gained a loving set of in-laws David and Babe Bannatyne. They shared their daughter’s
love of Kenney and he felt much affection for them.
In 1977 Jo gave birth to Danny, followed by Craig in 1978, Timothy in 1982, and Matthew in 1985. With each
child Jo-Anne and Ken’s love grew, for the new addition, as well as each other. Ken often felt like he received
more than the normal allotment of luck, and four healthy, smart, strong boys only compounded the satisfaction
he felt. The addition of three wonderful daughters-in-law, whom Kenney adored, furthered his sense of familial
accomplishment. It has been said that Cugnets marry well, and Ken felt it to be particularly true. He found in Jo-
Anne his intellectual equal, a loyal friend, business partner, and soul mate. They shared and enhanced each oth-
er’s lives by showcasing a different perspective to their partner’s upbringing. To the simple boy from Ralph, Jo-
Anne shared her appreciation for the arts, travel, and philanthropy; to the uptown girl from Estevan, Ken taught
land locations, farming and the oilpatch. For the 40 years of life they shared, they lived for each other, tirelessly
supporting and “cheer-leading” their spouse. As children we knew mom and dad were an effective team, particu-
larly when we needed a lecture! Together they created an environment of love and affection, amidst the many
conflicts in scheduling.
Ken and Jo were present at every hockey game, music festival or community event. The families love and
commitment sustained Kenney during difficult periods professionally and personally. Ken felt he lived a full life,
and the only regret he ever voiced was not being able to watch the grandchildren he loved grow up. His brief bat-
tle with Cancer was an attempt to continue being there for the people he loved so much. Ken formed Valleyview
Petroleums in 1978 with Jo-Anne as his partner, as well as the family farm in 1976, by purchasing his first quar-
ter section of land from the Mackenzie family. Both entities were a tremendous source of pride for Kenney, par-
ticularly as the boys become involved and eventually took over operations. They will miss their father’s guidance
and support, but he was tremendously proud of their accomplishments and growth to date. Throughout his life
Kenney enjoyed the opportunity to work with many bright men and women whose friendship he cherished. His
corporate involvement included board positions with Crescent Point Energy, Elkhorn Resources, Tappit Re-
sources, Starpoint Resources, Mission Oil & Gas, Medora Resources, and numerous others. He was a chair of
the Saskatchewan Surface Rights Board under both the NDP and PC party. Closer to home he served on the
Nickle Lake Regional Park Board, Grace United Church Board, Queen Elizabeth School Board and the Weyburn
Security Board. Through his many ventures Ken enjoyed a level of success that he could never imagine as a
youth. Lying awake at night in a cold attic, he dreamed of having a semi-truck, some cows, maybe 40 bar-
rels/day of production. His life’s accomplishments exceeded what he needed or dreamed, and he was so very
grateful that God had blessed him so very much. It was his nature to try and give back to the people and com-
munity that he felt he was a part of. It brought Ken and Jo-Anne immense pleasure to make a difference, and he
was so tremendously proud of his friends and business partners who felt the same way. The recent contributions
to the Cugnet Center and Weyburn Hospital were the culmination of a life of giving back. Ken’s accomplish-
ments, friendships, and legacy are larger than life, and too numerous for print. He will be dearly missed by all
who met him, and he knew in his twilight that he would dearly miss those he never met. A love of farming the
land, and raising cattle remained with Ken throughout his life. Even in his final days, a drive with Jo-Anne to in-
spect the cattle was one of his greatest pleasures.
In summation Kenney was a simple man, a product of the prairies, who accomplished extraordinary things. He
had an admiration for all those who came before him and broke ground, as well as the next generation who
would continue building, hoping, and dreaming. He loved anybody who tried. Ken believed in the “The Code of
the West” A cowboy’s word is his sacred bond. Bargains sealed with a handshake are more binding than legal
documents. Be loyal to the boss and the brand. Be thankful for your job. Lay down your life, if necessary, for the
privilege of defending your outfit. Be proud of your occupation. Be cheerful. Grant quick assistance to friends and
strangers in need. Endure hardships without complaining. Don’t make excuses.Try to be better than the other fel-
la. Share anything you own with a fellow worker. Demand square dealings. Never tolerate cowards. Be generous
with your life and money. Treat women like ladies. Stealing and rustling are evil wrong-doings. Do your best.
Never quit. If it’s not yours, don’t take it. If it’s not true, don’t say it. If it’s not right, don’t do it.
He will be dearly missed by his family/cheerleaders, although they are happy that God spared him the pain or
distress of a protracted fight with cancer.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Stewart for faithfully helping Ken throughout his difficulties; Dr. Zarkovic of the
Allan Blair Cancer center for her support and care of Ken; as well as Saskatchewan Health for offering the tar-
geted therapy that gave us extra time with our beloved husband and father. Additionally, they would like to ac-
knowledge Dr. P. Fong, Dr. Roy, Dr. Sperling and Dr. Garbe for giving dad a second chance in 1993.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, George Antoine and Irene Francis Cugnet and father-in-law, David Al-
bert Bannatyne.
Ken will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 39 years, Jo-Anne Bannatyne-Cugnet; son, Daniel (Tana) and
children, David and Isabelle; son, Craig; son, Tim (Leyna) and children, Kingston, Kensington and George; son,
Matt (Jennifer) and daughter, Josephine all of Weyburn, SK; Twin brother, Dick (Pat) of Weyburn, SK and chil-
dren, Andrea & Leah and families; sister, Beverly (Vic) Locken of Moose Jaw, SK and children, Lori, Wendy &
Michael and families; brother, Bobo (Marilyn) of Weyburn, SK and children, Teresa, Wes and Dale and families;
brother, Doug (Marga) of Weyburn, SK and children, Nicole, Aaron & Luke and families; sister, Janie (Paul)
Samletski of Langley, BC and children, Kristie and Kenney and families; mother-in-law, Gertrude “Babe” Banna-
tyne of Weyburn, SK; brothers-in-law, David Bannatyne and Nairn (Donalda) Bannatyne and children, Nairn Jr.
and Robbie and families as well as numerous cousins, relatives & families.
A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 2:00 pm from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic
Church with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers
are all of those men and women who were mentored by, worked alongside Ken or had the opportunity to share a
laugh and a story.The family would like to honour Ken’s wishes and have donations made to Weyburn Hospital
Foundation Building Fund. Box 1416 Weyburn, Saskatchewan S4H 3J9
Condolences may be made at:www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com
Arrangements entrusted to
Fletcher Funeral Chapel Weyburn, Saskatchewan 306-842-5432
HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!
