Remembering Ken Bracke
It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of our longest-serving employee, Ken Bracke.
I first met Ken in November 2010, when he walked into our store with a letter and his résumé, asking us to consider him for a part-time position. Having retired from his career with Edmonton Catholic Schools, Ken was embarking on a new chapter in life, pursuing a dream of studying to become a Sommelier and working in the wine and spirits industry. He had completed his ISG Levels 1 and 2 at NAIT and was looking for an opportunity to gain practical experience in the business.
From the moment we met, Ken's passion for wine and spirits was unmistakable. He possessed an extraordinary depth of knowledge and an enthusiasm that was truly infectious. Although he brought with him a lifetime of experience, including a long and wonderful career teaching and consulting in religious studies, he was humble about entering a completely new industry and concerned that he lacked the retail experience and practical skills needed to succeed. What he may have lacked in retail experience, he more than made up for in his exceptional communication skills, natural ability to teach, quick wit and wonderful sense of humour.
I recognized almost immediately what an incredible asset Ken would be to our business. Grant and I were actively pursuing our own wine studies at the time, and having someone with Ken's knowledge, passion and teaching abilities on our team was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. We offered him a position, and it was a decision we would never regret.
Over the years, Ken worked diligently to master the retail side of the business, but his true strengths were sharing his knowledge, teaching wine classes and developing his own wine-tasting business and wine club, all of which we were delighted to support. His ability to nose and taste wines was legendary. We often teased him about his background in religious studies and how he had evolved into a "Spirits Advisor" as well! I can still hear his wonderful chuckle.
Beyond his professional talents, Ken was someone who genuinely enriched our lives. He and his wife, Judith, loved travelling and spending time with their extended family across Canada and in California. He absolutely adored his dog, Poppy, and we often shared stories about our sometimes-naughty pups. Those little conversations and everyday moments are the things that become such treasured memories.
In the coming weeks, we will be creating a special section in the store called "Ken's Picks", showcasing some of his favourite wines. We hope this will be a fitting way to celebrate his passion and share a little piece of Ken with our customers. Many of his recommendations and insights can also be found in the Staff Picks section of our website, where his contributions live on through the years of knowledge he generously shared.
Ken was so much more than an employee. He was a colleague, a teacher, a mentor, a friend and a very special part of our store's story. His presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.
Personally, I will miss seeing him at the counter, surrounded by his ever-growing stack of books and pages of wine notes. I will miss his conversations, his humour, his generous spirit and, of course, the delicious homemade baked goodies he lovingly brought in to share with all of us every Christmas.
It is hard to say goodbye to someone who has been such a meaningful part of our journey for so many years. We are incredibly grateful that Ken walked through our doors that November day in 2010. He left a lasting mark on our business and, more importantly, on our hearts.
Rest peacefully, Ken. You will be missed more than words can express, and you will always be a part of our story.
To Ken, who taught us that good wine—like a good life—is meant to be savored, shared, and remembered.
May your glass always be full wherever you are. To absent friends.
Cheers Ken!