I'm saddened by this. More than I would be if it was a member of an organization I hadn't met before.
Why?
There are a few reasons.
(1) The stories I've heard have helped shaped my leadership style. I loved hearing the stories that Ken would walk the concourse, talk to fans, and stand in line at concessions then complain about how long then are, ask who to talk to about that!
(2) The team turned around under his tenure. Was it perfect? No. But I truly believe that a team cannot achieve let alone over achieve with poor management/leadership. He was the turning point, the key to the 2004 run, the 2015 Canucks series win.
(3) My birthday is in mid-May. In 2004 as my birthday approached I said to my folks "You know how I never know what I want for my birthday? This year I want airfare to Calgary if the Flames make the finals if I can get tickets. I'll worry about getting tickets, I just need to know that you can send me." They agreed, knowing that the Flames would never make it.
Spoilers alert
I emailed Ken King and told him how big of a Flames fan I was, how I was from the East Coast, and couldn't risk booking flights and not getting tickets. I would be willing to pay for tickets but I needed to know I could buy them in order to book flights.
To my shock and amazement I got and email back asking where in the building I wanted tickets with prices listed.
I'll never forget the shock on my mom's face when I told her. She did everything she could but Aeroplan just didn't have space. I resigned myself to not going.
My uncle said "**** THAT"
He called WestJet and got me a reduced fare flight from Moncton. Only condition was that my cousin got the second ticket.
He told my mom the tickets were free.
She found out afterward they were a reduced fare (she paid the fare).
I'll never forget the energy of the Saddledome for game 6 of the 2004 finals.
I'll never forget walking the Red Mile.
I'll never forget the flights out and back.
I'll never forget.
I'm teary eyed thinking of this.
It's because Ken King approved it.
I'd love to be a sports executive. If it's in the cards, I'll try and follow the steps that Ken King demonstrated.
The respect I have for the man, and will always have for the man cannot be understated.
I was taken back hearing his passing. I honestly cannot believe it, and it affects me more than a random celebrity/person of interest.
If he touched the lives of people like me, and other posters here in such a way, I cannot imagine how he touched the lives of friends, family, and close co-workers.
Rest in piece Ken, you were a great man and we are all at a loss without you.
With much love, Jon.