Cochrane mourns the loss of a pillar in the community with the recent passing of 61-year-old Kelly Carson, the executive director of the Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce, on the morning of April 22.
In an update sent out by the Chamber, it stated that Kelly first joined the Chamber in 2020 and quickly became renown for his bright personality and flashy style. They outline he was an exceptional leader, and a pillar in the community who helped connect local businesses.
"In this moment of loss, our thoughts are especially with Kelly's family," it read. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Tracey, his children, and their extended families. We share in their grief and offer our heartfelt condolences. As a community, we stand ready to support them in this time of sorrow.”
One of Carson’s most notable achievements for the Cochrane Chamber of Commerce includes helping Cochrane secure the title of 2021 Chamber of the Year in Alberta.
Jag Thind, vice president for the Chamber, said Carson was nothing short of a great man, and he will be dearly missed.
“I lost a big friend yesterday, he was an amazing person,” Thind said. “I felt shocked when I heard the news. He was in the hospital for I think three weeks now, and the doctor didn’t realize what was going on with him.
“It’s a big loss for Cochrane, it’s a big loss for the Chamber of Commerce, but for me I lost a dear friend," he added.
CoC president, Ozzie Sawicki, said Carson was instrumental leading the Chamber into a more prominent role in the community, He added that they both shared the same vision to do more for Cochrane’s business community, and he said it is heartbreaking to hear about his passing.
“It’s devastating for his wife and family, but I think the community as a whole has grown to really care about him,” Sawicki said. “I think he’s a person that is going to be sorely missed because he was such an integral part of the community and so many things we’ve done.
“We’re just going to miss him tremendously.”
Dan Kroffat, a Cochranite who worked on many initiatives alongside Carson, said he was one of the brightest characters in the community with a wardrobe to match. He outlined that Cochrane was lucky to have such an iconic individual, and he will never be forgotten.
“He always had a positive attitude and brought a lot to the community,” Kroffat said. “He stood out more in the area of how he dressed, but his efforts in his work and contribution to the community equalled that look.
“He was 100 per cent involved, so I think that no matter who you speak to in the community of Cochrane, they will be people who will smile and say the difference Kelly brought to their lives.”
Mayor Jeff Genung said he is both shocked and saddened at the news of Carson’s passing. Although he was at a loss for words, Genung said Carson was a big part of Cochrane, and he will be missed.
He was a big part of a lot of events, and if there was something going on, Kelly was there,” Genung said. “It’s going to be strange, to be at these events without him.
“I think it’s going to be up to the community to really show who we are, and what we’re about, in helping Kelly’s family and his wife, Tracy, get through this difficult time,” Genung said. “I’ve already seen it, and we need to do right by Kelly now.”
