BY ERIN FAWCETT
Lacombe Express
Condolences from citizens and government officials continue as Albertans mourn the loss of former Premier Jim Prentice.
Prentice was one of four killed in a plane crash near Kelowna last Thursday evening. Also killed were Calgary Optometrist Ken Gellatly, the father-in-law of one of Prentice’s daughters, retired RCMP officer Jim Kruk, who was piloting the plane and Calgary businessman Sheldon Reid.
Officials have said the plane, which is described as a twin-engine Cessna Citation, disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Kelowna. The plane was headed to the Springbank Airport near Calgary.
Prentice, 60, served as Alberta’s premier from September 2014 to May 2015 when the PCs lost the provincial election to the Alberta NDP.
Prentice had served as MP for Calgary Centre-North from 2004 to 2010. Following his resignation from federal politics, Prentice joined provincial politics becoming MLA for the Calgary-Foothills riding - a post he resigned from following his defeat in the provincial election.
Lacombe Mayor Steve Christie offered a statement after hearing of Prentice’s death.
“On behalf of City council, I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Jim Prentice, former Alberta premier and a former federal cabinet minister. Mr. Prentice was a widely respected public servant who served both Alberta and Canada with honour and respect. He will be missed.
“The residents of Lacombe join all Albertans and Canadians in offering our most sincere condolences to his wife Karen and his family at this difficult time.”
A book of condolences for Prentice has been set up at the McDougall Centre in Calgary. A state funeral service is to be held Oct. 28th at Calgary's Jubilee Auditorium.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com