Obituary of Sawyer James Velting

April 14, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta

November 18, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Sawyer James Velting passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 18, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones, after a lifelong battle with cancer.

Born on April 14, 2018, in Calgary, Sawyer was the first child of Ashley and Kaylen. He was a true firstborn in every sense of the word—Sawyer was bright, quick-witted, and wise beyond his years.

Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at just six months old, Sawyer faced life’s challenges with strength and resilience that were unmatched by most anyone. Despite his illness, he was best known for his adventurous spirit, eclectic taste for food, and love of all things spooky.

Sawyer’s passion for travel brought him immense joy. Some of his fondest memories included dining at the Rainforest Café in Ontario, braving every ride he was tall enough for at Disney World, swimming endlessly in the pools and oceans of Hawaii, and sampling never-ending buffets in Mexico. 

Sawyer had a deep love for food. Even when unwell, he would spend countless hours watching his favourite Food Network shows like Halloween Wars and You Gotta Eat Here and following chefs on YouTube like Nick DiGiovanni and the late Lynja, who also lost her life to cancer. When his health allowed, Sawyer eagerly recreated dishes that inspired him, from tanghulu to spicy marinades.

Scary things were another one of Sawyer’s greatest joys. Halloween wasn’t confined to one day for him—it was a year-round celebration. Whether donning elaborate costumes, scaring his brothers with creepy sounds, or watching jump scares on TV, Sawyer embraced the spooky spirit every single day of the year.

As his illness progressed and he could no longer run or play, Sawyer became a storyteller. Anyone who sat with him would be drawn into his imaginative and articulate tales. His passion for storytelling, coupled with his humour and charm, created memories that will be cherished and shared by those lucky enough to hear them.

Sawyer will always be remembered for his infectious laughter and unforgettable dance moves, all of which will resonate forever in the hearts of his loved ones.

He is survived by his devoted parents, Ashley and Kaylen; his beloved brothers, Bennett and Myles; his maternal grandparents, Sylvie and Jeff; his paternal grandparents, Joanne and Gerrit; his aunts, Chantal, Melissa, and Desirae; his uncles, Brad, Jason, and Jody; and his cousins, Ella and Cameron. Sawyer also leaves behind many cherished friends, extended family, and the compassionate caregivers at the Alberta Children’s Hospital who supported him throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, Ashley and Kaylen will be setting up a memorial fund to help create lasting memories of Sawyer and his legacy. There is also a GoFundMe established to help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with funeral and other living expenses for Sawyer’s family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sawyer-velting.

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

In living memory of Sawyer Velting, 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.

Click Here to View Sawyer's Memorial Card