Obituary of Kirk Charles Sharpley

Kirk Charles Sharpley, died Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the age of 65 from his courageous nine year battle with renal cell cancer. 

Kirk is survived by his wife, Anne Brobyn, step-son and wife Mike McIver and Sandy Ng, his three brothers Glen, Mark and wife Carla, Brad and wife Nikki , his mother Carol, brother-in-law and wife Robert & Arlette Brobyn and 6 nieces and nephews.

From a young age, Kirk was always a high energy person who loved sports, especially wrestling and football. While attending Kipling Collegiate Institute in Toronto, he participated in theatre productions and numerous sports teams.  After high school Kirk took on a career of sales working for such companies as Proctor & Gamble and Molson’s Brewery before starting his own marketing company and co-founding the King of the Q brand including a popular BBQ TV show.  Later Kirk volunteered his time as President of the Canadian BBQ Association and helped start the craze that has become a worldwide passion.  Kirk found his soul mate Anne in grade 7 where they enjoyed a friendship up until graduation from high school before going their separate ways.  They met up again at a high school reunion 33 years later and married in 2006.  Kirk moved into his dream career - real estate - after being diagnosed with cancer in 2009.  It was now or never to follow his passion.  He soon became a specialist in international property sales as an extension to his local business.  Initially working with Sutton Real Estate, Kirk then moved on to Keller Williams, where he was a designated international ambassador and Certified International Property Specialist.  Finally and most recently, Kirk joined the Niagara team at Engel & Völkers where his passion and knowledge of Caribbean real estate brought his expertise to an expanding global market. Kirk and his wife Anne (Hibiscus Tours International Ltd) combined their talents in real estate and travel and hosted annual Caribbean Real Estate Cruises for the past 10 years.  He valued teamwork and built a strong network who will help carry on his legacy.  

In the last months of his life, Kirk slowed down as clinical trials and cancer treatments affected his quality of life.  Throughout the last week, he was still doing business from his hospital bed where he stated he was forever grateful for the support of his team, his wife and family members who remained by his side through it all.  Kirk passed quickly and peacefully with his family by his side.  

Many thanks to the amazing oncology and nursing team at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto who gave us some of the best years of Kirk’s life.  We are forever grateful for this time.  And lastly we very much appreciate the end of life care Kirk received at St. Catharines NHS Hospital in Niagara. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sunnybrook Foundation: Odette Cancer Centre or similar cancer reserach foundation would greatly honour the life Kirk so willingly gave to cancer science and research.  A celebration of life will take place Oct 23rd.  For details please contact his wife Anne:  Anne@HibiscusInternational.com.