Obituary of Kevin Abbott

Kevin Wayne Abbott was born in Portage La Prairie, MB, on December 19, 1974.

He is survived by his mother, Yvonne Louise Abbott, his father, Clayton Leonard Abbott and stepmother, Sandra Abbott. Also surviving are his sister, Tammy Lee Abbott, and brother-in-law, Lawrence Swiderski & Narda Brooks, nephews Kevin Tyler Swiderski and Tyson Richard Swiderski. His sister Lori Michelle Abbott, nieces and nephews, Sequoia Rain Abbott-Saulteaux & Graham Olford, Wakan Zenith Abbott-Saulteaux & Harmony Ross, Autumn Equinox Abbott-Saulteaux, and Wamni Sunshine Abbott -Saulteaux. His aunts and uncles: Louise Kinakin, Reg and Florence Abbott, Wayne and Bonnie Abbott, Linda and Barry Fowler, and Marlin and Ronalee Nelson, and numerous cousins, and second cousins.

Kevin was predeceased by his Grandpa Russel & Grandma Velma Abbott, Grandpa Marvin & Grandma Eleanor Nelson, Uncle Edward Kinakin, and cousins, Jeffery Kinakin and Dale Abbott. 

Kevin was exceptionally loved by his family, and spent his early years residing in the Riding Mountain area of Manitoba. As a young child his favourite activities were playing with his sisters and friends, building forts in the forests, wading in the creek by his family farmyard, enjoying home cooked meals and baking provided by his mom, and spending time with his dad taking rides in big semi trucks. There were early challenges in his family, however Kevin always did his best to navigate these, by keeping busy and using his imagination to ease his way through the unknown.

Over the years of childhood, and into his teens, Kevin lived in various communities and settings, including in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. He rolled well with moves and new environments, creating friendships along the way and found his favourite passions in life during his adolescent years. In his early adult years, Kevin mastered his skill for carpentry and woodworking. It was clear to his mentors and his employers, that his gift was special- Kevin was an exceptional craftsman. It is within this same timeframe, that Kevin found and secured a close relationship with Jesus Christ, and became a devote, ideal, and committed Christian. He worked with conviction to offer support and kindness to those that were suffering, providing meals and God’s teachings through the Muster Seed Outreach Program, in Calgary, to all who would hear his message and accept his love. At this same time, many things came together for him, he found friendship and loving relationships, he worked hard in carpentry and was a dependable employee, he enjoyed refreshing kayak trips on the Bow River, and he took memorable walks along the rivers edge. This chapter of his life, although significant, and what his family might describe as the happiest Kevin had been, started to slip away within a short timeframe. Due to longstanding complexities, and life’s hurts that had added up to becoming unbearably overwhelming, Kevin eased his pain and growing mental health issues with substances.

The next two decades of his life, were exceedingly difficult for Kevin. Factors such as unprocessed trauma, severe addiction, and undiagnosed mental illness, created a battle that even this beautiful man with his infectious smile, unweathering family support, and faith in God- could not overcome and fight against. With heartache, compassionate love, great worry and pain, his family and loved ones watched him deteriorate and slip further into addiction and severe mental illness. Despite the best supports and intentions to help by his family, professionals, agencies and God himself, for Kevin, the issues were too large and the help not accessible in the way he needed. Throughout his life, Kevin always stayed committed and connected to his family. He also kept his Christian beliefs close to his heart and soul- and always remained in a close relationship with his saviour and his Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Over the course of Kevin’s adult life, he travelled with great ambition and hopeful curiosity, looking for and seeking the place that might be his home to stay. This search entailed the entire country of Canada, and into the United States of America. At 46 years of age, his family is both stricken with grief and soothed in comfort, to know that his last moments on the earth were spent in one of his favourite places that he once called home. Kevin died near the Bow River in Calgary, a place that had once been his happiest home, where he had found love, hope and peace, and where he searched out for and found his rightful God- the Lord Jesus Christ. His body was finally at rest, and his family now knows, his soul will be forever at peace in Heaven in the soothing comfort and loving arms of Jesus.

Kevin- we love you and will miss you dearly. We wish with every fiber of our beings and souls, that we could have helped you, loved you and supported you in a way that would have eased your pain, and helped you back from the rivers edge. We will do our best, dear Kevin, to honour your life and your story, keep taking strides towards healing our own lives, and helping others to heal theirs as well. We love you unconditionally, for who you were in this world and cannot wait to see your beautiful shining soul when we meet in the next. Love Mom, Dad, Sandy, Tammy, Lori, your nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. May you rest in peace dearest one.