Obituary of Eric Connelly

Eric Connelly passed away peacefully in his 95th year at the Rockyview General Hospital, Calgary. Active until recent years, he continued to live in his own home up to late July of this year. Born in Amble, Northumberland, England, Eric came to Canada with his parents and two elder brothers in 1911. The family settled in Calgary where Eric made his home for most of the past ninety-three years. A Chartered Accountant since 1933 and an FCA from 1957, Eric was active in the community as well as in his professional life. In his time he served as Chair, President, Vice President, Director, Developer and/or member of a wide variety of organizations, the most notable of which were Initial Developer of Pembina Pipeline (1st Chair), Panarctic Oils (1st President), Chairman of Barber Engineering and Controls, and Barber Engineering and Supply, Vice President of Barber Machinery and Mannix/Loram, as well as Director of Ashland Oil Canada and a number of other companies; President (1954), Director (1948-55) and very long-serving member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, member of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada, member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, Director and Lecturer at the Banff School of Advanced Management, Director and Regional Representative for CESO (Canadian Executive Services Overseas); Director (1943-48) and President (1948) of the Alberta Tuberculosis Association, President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce (1966), Chairman of the United Way Fund Drive (1968), (Honourary) Treasurer of the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede (1975-77), Founding Member of the Heritage Park Society, Director of the Glenbow Museum Acquisitions Society; long-serving member of the Rotary Club, Freemasons (32 deg. Scottish Rite), and the Shriners Al Azhar Temple; President and long-standing member of the Ranchman’s Club, and long-standing member of the Glencoe Club, the Petroleum Club, the Mill Reef Club (Antigua), and Calgary Golf & Country Club where for many decades he played numerous rounds of golf, his favourite past-time until two years ago, and whose clubhouse was like a second home to him until quite recently. Eric is mourned by his son and daughter-in-law Brian and Mary Ann; second wife Ada de Beaufort and her son Patrick, both of The Hague, Netherlands; as well as many relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Janet; first wife Barbara (who passed away in 1982); and three brothers, Norman, Alan and Roy. Funeral Services will be held at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 – 8 Street S.W.) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev. Kersi Bird officiating. A family Graveside Service will follow at a later date at Union Cemetery. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. To acknowledge the kindness of staff on Unit 73 at the Rockyview General Hospital, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made, if friends so desire, to the Calgary Health Trust – RGH Unit 73, 10101 Southport Road S.W., Calgary, AB, T2W 3N2, Telephone: (403) 943 – 0615, www.calgaryhealthtrust.org. The family extends special affection and gratitude to Linda McNally and Ferdinand Massiah and our great appreciation to Eric’s team of caregivers including Rose Marin, Marciano Morales, Sherylynn Coupal, and Lourdes Servante. The family would also like to thank all of those many people who kindly contributed to the organization of Eric’s care and personal affairs in his final years. In living memory of Eric Connelly, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.