Obituary of Wilbur Linn Griffith

Wilbur Griffith, our beloved father, grandfather and friend, passed away at the Rockyview General Hospital on Saturday, March 20, 2004 at the age of 101 years. Wilbur, known as “Griff” to many, lived a long and abundant life beginning on May 29, 1902 in Enid, OK. He finished grade school in Tulsa, OK and then attended Drake University in Des Moines, IA, majoring in Business Administration. In 1926 Wilbur joined Gulf Oil Co., where over his twenty year employment, gained the necessary experience to become a very successful and sought-after independent oil lease broker. The lease brokerage business brought him to Calgary in 1955 where he founded Canadian Export Gas Ltd., which was awarded the contract to supply the gas for the Trans Canada Pipeline. In 1965, Wilbur sold his oil and gas interests and continued his entrepreneurial endeavors including wheat farming, cattle ranching, land development, and equestrian stabling to name a few. In 1977, Wilbur constructed the Pinebrook Golf and Country Club which ignited in him a passion for the game. He and his late wife of forty-seven years, Betty, built their home and raised their family in Springbank, west of Calgary. Among numerous other charitable gifts, Wilbur and Betty donated two hundred and twenty-seven acres of their homestead to the City of Calgary, which is now known as Griffith Woods Park. Wilbur enjoyed spending his leisure time hunting, playing golf, giving golf “lessons,” and traveling. His quick sense of humour, charm, and optimistic zest for life will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered. Wilbur is survived by his children, Sally Rondio, Julie Warthe (Rick) and Bill Griffith and by his grandchildren, Justin, Tessa, Kai, and Nico. A Celebration of Wilbur’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 944 – 2433. In living memory of Wilbur Griffith, 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.