Obituary of Henry Louis Brusset

April 23, 1926 - Tarbes, France

September 7, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Henry Brusset, beloved husband of Anne-Marie Brusset, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the age of 98 years

Henry was born in France on April 23, 1926. His family immigrated to Blairmore, AB, when he was four years old. During his childhood, he crossed the Atlantic between Canada and France by ship eighteen times.

He lived with his family in Blairmore, Pincher Creek, Montreal, and Calgary over the course of his youth.

He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1952 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was particularly proud of the oilfield automation systems he designed for oilfields in the Sahara Desert of Algeria and in Drayton Valley, AB. Highlights of his career include being the drilling superintendent of the first hole on Sable Island and supervising the construction of a semi-submersible in Oslo, Norway. He also worked and lived in France, Texas, Trinidad and Tobago, England, Scotland, Egypt, and New York.

He met the love of his life, Anne-Marie, in June of 1956. They were engaged in July and married in August of that same year. Their family was completed by their children, Veronique, Paul, and Antoine.

Henry had a passion for cattle ranching and training horses, which led to his father, brothers, and himself owning a ranch northwest of Cochrane for 20 years. Later, Henry bought a farm in Vulcan County where he expanded his interests to include grain farming. His son Paul inherited that same passion, and the two of them farmed together for over 40 years.

Besides his loving wife, Henry is survived by his daughter Veronique (Greg), his son Paul (Joanne), seven grandchildren, Jason (Michelle), Danielle (Mike), Bryce, Christine (Ken), Eric (Maria), Dean (Aleena), and Luc; and twelve great-grandchildren, Taran, Eli, Becca, Kayla, Arianna, Isabella, Merrick, Bruce, Caulder, Freya, Theodore, and Sofia.

Henry is also survived by his brothers, Mike (Gwenn) and Jean-Louis; nephew Alain (Blanca), niece Jacqui (Keith), grand-nephews, Christopher, Mark (Isabelle) and Mathias; grand-nieces, Katie and Ellen; as well as numerous cousins and friends.

Henry was predeceased by his son Antoine in 1974, granddaughter Denise in 1988, niece Genevieve in 2002, sister Francoise in 2011, niece Jennifer in 2012, great-grandson Charlie in 2012, and sister Annick in 2022.

Many thanks to friends and relatives for their support, with special thanks to the caregivers and staff at United Active Living Fish Creek for their compassionate support and care.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street SW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca.

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

In living memory of Henry Brusset, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.