Thorburn Family Statement
Dear swimming community, our hearts are heavy, our souls are mourning. The news of Kevin’s passing was beyond shocking and the road ahead of us without him will feel endless.
Kevin was an indestructible man to us. Always solid, always ready to go, ready to fight, ready to push. Every day was a “hard workday” for him, an opportunity to live by the highest standards of excellence, no excuses, 100% effort and commitment in everything he did. Such a confident man with his eyes at the highest and furthest star. It would take days for me to describe how important swimming and his swimmers were to him, how much passion he invested in his programs, how much love he had for his profession.
Kevin left a nine-year-old girl behind, our daughter Sienna Marie, who he loved deeply and made him a proud father. With COVID-19 restrictions, we have difficulties to plan or prepare a service, however, we would love to celebrate his life in a meaningful way and show Sienna who his father was. We would like to invite the swim community, to everyone who wishes to share any story, memory, picture, thank you letter, or any words about Kevin, to please email them to us or mail it to us, so that Sienna can slowly put things together and bring this new book to life, and be the company she needs during this difficult times. The life of a swim coach can be very heavy on a family. Sienna had the unique experience that both of her parents were involved in the same profession. She gave up her father for many weekends, many important milestones, many key memories, because deep down, she knew that work was his life. She will no longer have the chance to see what Kevin had yet to offer to this beautiful sport, she will no longer have the chance to build new memories and to share new accomplishments together, but she can have what he left in many other lives he touched during all his years of his coaching career. Then she will know that all these sacrifices were worthwhile
For now, I would like to thank all our swim family for your kind words of support. Life without Kevin will be very difficult. His smile not only fueled us at home, but I know it was the bright light on deck. His jokes and sense of humour along with his ferocious competitiveness where just the perfect combination to make him the strongest coach that could be. I always admired his talent, and we will always love his essence.
Messages can be sent to Carmen and Sienna through kevinthorburn@cscta.org.