Obituary of Harry Rankin

May 10, 1925 – East Angus, Quebec

January 9, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

After almost 99 years on this Earth, Henry Victor Rankin (everybody called him Harry) died on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, AB.

The quintessential Canadian gentleman, Harry grew up in Waterville, QC, living a sporting life as a young golfer, fisherman and especially hockey player—team captain in fact. As World War II raged, he volunteered for the Air Force and trained first as a pilot, then navigator. Fortunately for his many descendants, the war ended before he could fly into battle against the Nazis in the skies over Europe. But he was ready to, and that’s no small thing.

After his discharge, he studied engineering at Queen’s University, went on to meet the wonderful Audrie Pryce, a nurse, married her and, to cut a long story short, they did everything right and now there’s generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren kicking around at the family cottage he built us, all happy and healthy and thanking their lucky stars to have had such an interesting, passionate, adventurous and dependable chap in their lives.

He was our rock, our safe harbour, our inspiration. He made friends for life and was still making new ones in his 90s. His favourite song was Gordon Lightfoot’s Early Morning Rain. Search for it on YouTube and have a listen, then think of him and smile.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Henry’s family here.

In living memory of Henry “Harry” Rankin, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.