Obituary of David Dargie Riddoch

David Dargie Riddoch of Calgary passed away peacefully at the Scenic Acres Retirement Residence on Saturday, December 20, 2003. His was a life well lived. David was born in Dundee, Scotland on February 9, 1917 to James and Barbara Riddoch. After completing primary school in Dundee, David, whose early part-time jobs consisted of both apothecaries assistant and barman in his father’s pub, found his career calling as a marine steam engineer. David apprenticed at the very active shipyards in Dundee, and ultimately became a “Member in Institute of Marine Engineers”. David’s chosen career carried him around the world, first to oil-carrying freighters in the Caribbean, through World War II in the British Merchant Marines, on to India and eventually Canada. It was during WWII that David was torpedoed twice, barely surviving one sinking with only twelve of his shipmates. During his seven years in India after the war, David learned to speak Tamil fluently, saw India gain its independence from Great Britain, and had the love of his life, Sheila, join him for their marriage there in 1951. In 1954, after having their first child, Paul, born in India, David and Sheila immigrated to Canada, first to Calgary, and then on to Banff in 1956. It was in Calgary in 1955 that their second child, Maureen was born. Their third child Patricia was born in Banff in 1963. David was the chief engineer of the Banff Springs Hotel for twenty-one years until 1976, and ultimately retired from CP Hotels in 1979. David and Sheila moved to Qualicum Beach, BC from Calgary in 1982. There Sheila was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer which precipitated their return to Calgary in 1988. Sheila passed away on January 13, 1989, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. David is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Maureen and Brian Argyle, and Patricia and Miguel Kanafany, all of Calgary; a son and daughter-in-law Paul and Judith of Calgary; and grandchildren Susan, Michael David, Christopher and Daron. Graveside Services will be held at Queen’s Park Cemetery (4th Street and 31st Avenue N.W.) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 10:00 A.M., followed by a memorial service at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.) at 11:30 A.M. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com In living memory of David Riddoch, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 Crowfoot Circle N.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 241-0044.