Obituary of Don Wright

November 26, 1924 – Camrose, Alberta

March 20, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Don passed peacefully in his 100^th year, surrounded by family.

Family was everything to Don, he loved them, and they adored him. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Janet (Craig Terry), Bryan, Noni, and Lynn (Kevin Torsher); eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Carrie, in 2017 and by his first grandchild, Lauren, in 1993.

Born in Camrose and raised in Turner Valley, Don was proud to have lived nearly all his life in Alberta. The backroads of rural Alberta were his highways, his memory and his curiosity were his maps.

In 1946, he graduated from Chemical Engineering at the University of Alberta, where he established lifelong friendships. His 50-plus-year career in the oil and gas industry started with Royalite, then Triad Oil & Gas, BP Canada, AOSTRA, Talisman Energy, and Willowdale Resources. Don was regarded in the industry as a man of honesty, integrity, and fairness. He knew the daily Western Canadian Select price to the end.

Don’s mind was sharp throughout his life. A true engineer, he loved charts, graphs, and data, tracking the stock market, his weight, and his weekly Bridge cards. Sudoku was a favourite; the more difficult the better. He authored weekly coffee club trivia at the Manor.

Don loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman, playing baseball as a youth and curling, golfing, skiing, and hunting. There were many family ski trips with Don always on the hill until the last run.

At the age of nine, Don was hunting and fishing to bring food home for the table. Eventually, fishing became a passionate recreational and social activity to share with others. He made many trips to Haida Gwaii with Carrie, later including his children and grandchildren, to fish for salmon and halibut. Don loved fly fishing. His last cast was October 15, 2023, and it was a “great” day. He fostered a love for fishing, hunting, and the outdoors in his family.

Don called the Manor at Garrison Woods his home for the past nine years. As an avid Bridge player, he was always looking for good cards! He was a respected and well-regarded member of the Manor community with many friends. The highlight of Don’s week was hosting family for weekend breakfast.

He was a steadfast foundational presence in our lives; patient, generous, and loving, and we will miss him dearly!

Thank you to Dr. John Shillington and Dr. Britt Simmons, as well as the Unit 72 nurses at Rockyview General Hospital for their thoughtful, compassionate care. 

Funeral Services will be held at St. Laurence Anglican Church (5940 Lakeview Dr. SW, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.  

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Salvation Army, 1731 29th Street SW Calgary, AB, T3C 1M6, www.salvationarmy.ca/donations/, or to St. Laurence Anglican Church, 5940 Lakeview Drive S.W., Calgary, AB, Telephone: (403) 249-6184, www.stlaurence.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Don’s family here.

In living memory of Don Wright, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.