Obituary of Douglas John Benkie

June 7, 1945 – Edmonton, Alberta

August 29, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Doug Benkie, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the age of 79 years.

Doug was born in Edmonton, AB, on June 7, 1945. He moved to Calgary, AB, in 1974. From then on, Doug became a proud Calgarian.

Doug enjoyed many things in life, golf, curling, crokinole, and most notably, cooking. Doug brought people together with his passion for culinary arts. You walked away from his table impressed and always full. These were the best compliments Doug could have received.

He will be most remembered for his “Bad Dad” jokes and his obsession with Costco. He claimed to get in his steps while travelling each aisle, often three times a week.

Most of all, Doug loved his family dearly. He is survived by his children, Barbara Benkie, Darren Benkie, Christine Randell (Ben), and Stephanie Benkie (David); his seven grandchildren, David Kernested (Taylor), Courtney Kernested (Dana), Maxwell and Jackson Nichol, Sophie Benkie, Adelynn Wayne, and Navy Randell; and his siblings, Patricia Goltz, Donna Benkie, and Kevin Benkie.  Doug was predeceased by his parents, John and Charlotte Benkie.

One of Doug’s last posts was as follows:

“Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you.

Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a Negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you but have a drink with them anyways.

Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride.”  - Anthony Bourdain.

A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held at Heritage Pointe Golf Course (1 Heritage Pointe Dr, Heritage Pointe, AB) on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

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

In living memory of Doug Benkie, 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.