Ken Urquhart, better known in Canadian football circles as Coach Kick, has passed away, according to his sister Leslie.
Our family is sad to announce the passing of Ken, my oldest brother, at the age of 68, from pancreatic cancer. We are grateful to have spent his last months with him in our home under our care reminiscing and supporting him until his final few days at Bob Kemp Hospice.
Known as ‘Coach Kick’ amongst his students and peers, football, kicking in particular, was his obsession.
Ken mentored and befriended those he coached, which spanned nearly 50 years. He helped many students through his encouragement, support and commitment to their success. Relentlessly training with them for hours, rain or shine, day or night, often for free when resources were scarce. He opened doors and advocated for his students, spending hours on the phone convincing team coaches to give his kids a chance so they could realize their dreams. Ken instilled in his students and lived by his words: ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.’
Ken worked in the Hot Mill at Dofasco for 47 years and had just recently retired in October. His work mates all described him as a great guy. A dependable, hard worker. I describe him as a beautiful soul.
Ken demonstrated enormous determination from a young age with all his endeavours, always finishing what he started. Patience, kindness and generosity were Ken’s strong suit benefiting the lives of those he touched. He enjoyed spending hours upon hours with his nieces Brianna and Bailey. He adored Heidi, the family dog, and was extremely proud of his Scottish heritage and the Urquhart name.
Ken also had a creative side. At the age of 15 he would travel to Yuk Yuks in Toronto, waiting and hoping for a turn on stage to perform impressions. He wrote his own material and could do 101 different voices. He was a funny, quirky guy with a great sense of humour. Ken loved to walk — miles, and miles and miles….. those of you who live in Hamilton have most likely seen him walking. ‘Hey, isn’t that Ken?’ ‘Hey Ken, want a ride?’ ‘No, I’m good, I’ll walk, thanks.’
Ken has left a beautiful legacy of integrity, kindness and friendship. He will be missed by many. Rest in Peace Ken. Love, your little sister XO.
Please feel free to share, so that it may reach friends who otherwise may not be aware. And stories of your encounters with Ken would also be comforting.
An online obituary at Serenity Burial and Cremation will follow, as well as details on a celebration of life.
If there was a skilled kicker from the southern Ontario area, Urquhart likely worked with them, including Lirim Hajrullahu.
“He’s very subtle. It’s my comfort level, I’ve had him since Grade 12. He is the most passionate kicking coach I’ve ever met. He just wants to see his guys do well,” the CFL all-star kicker told Argonauts.ca in 2024.
Hajrullahu’s current team shared a statement after his passing:
The Toronto Argonauts mourn the passing of Ken Urquhart. Known as ‘Coach Kick’ he served as the personal coach for Lirim Hajrullahu and dozens of other kickers over his nearly five decades of coaching. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
