Obituary of Peter Joseph Aubry

September 27, 1931 – North Bay, Ontario

April 26, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

 

Peter Aubry, beloved husband of Sharon Gail Aubry (nee Holman), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 92 years.

 

Peter was born in North Bay, ON, on September 27, 1931, to his parents Horace and Albertine Aubry; older sister Madeleine, and a number of mongrel dogs were also a part of the family.

 

Peter’s first love, besides his family, was playing hockey. He started as a young boy, playing shinny on the ponds and junior hockey in North Bay. As a young adult, he frequented the pool hall in North Bay with his many friends.

 

The Aubry family was very musical, with all four family members having beautiful singing voices, accompanied by Horace playing violin and Peter on the piano. Their home was the centre of most Christmas Eve celebrations, as family and community members gathered there after midnight Mass for tourtière and Christmas carols.

 

In his early 20s, Peter travelled from North Bay to California in pursuit of new experiences and to visit his favourite cousins. He then found himself back on Canadian soil in Vancouver, Jasper, and then back to North Bay, as a happy and content young man who had fulfilled his sense of adventure.

 

At the age of 23, he was approached by a hockey scout who offered him a full scholarship to attend Michigan Tech University (MTU) in Houghton, Michigan. The MTU Huskies were part of the NCAA Division, and Peter was recognized as an MVP on many occasions. His positions in hockey were Right Wing (who shot left) and Centre. After his years of university and hockey, he graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Geology, honouring his love of rocks.

 

During his time at MTU, he also met his future wife Sharon, and they were married in 1959. Peter was then hired by Ingersoll Rand and moved to New Jersey for training. Here they had their first child, Antoine, and were soon transferred to Calgary, AB. Once settled, they welcomed their three other children, Suzanne, Paul, and Danielle. He remained employed with Ingersoll Rand for fifteen years and was often the top salesman for the company. He then ventured into the Alberta oil and gas sector, engaging with various junior oil and gas companies until late in his life. Additionally, he was actively involved in various organizations representing the sector.

 

Contributing to his community was very important to Peter. He was involved in politics, coaching hockey, scouting new talent for MTU, and advocating for mental health. He was one of the first members of the Premier’s Council on People with Disabilities. In his leisure time, Peter enjoyed going through mine tailings, identifying and teaching his children about rocks, and attending MTU alumni hockey reunions. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, watching sports, and loved engaging in conversation over a good hot meal.

 

Peter accomplished much throughout his life and was particularly proud of his family.

 

Besides his loving wife, Peter is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne Artym (John) and Danielle Aubry (Rick); and his two sons, Antoine and Paul. All four children reside in Calgary, AB, as well as his four grandchildren, Kyle and Kara Artym, and Derek and Amy Castiglione. Peter is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

 

Peter was predeceased by his sister Madeleine.

 

The family would like to acknowledge three amazing staff members from Vytality at Home, co-owner Brad, and Peter’s caregivers in the last three months of his life, Jonathon and Pushpinder. Not only were they caregivers, but great company for Peter, who loved interaction and conversation with people, even when he was struggling with his own health issues. The staff at Unit 74 at the Rockyview General Hospital gave our dad exceptional care in the last weeks of his life; they were sensitive, caring, and knowledgeable professionals. Thank you to all of them.

 

A Celebration of Peter’s Life will be held in June, both in-person and online. More information will be provided here at a later date.

 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, 600 – 60th Street St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4T 1N5, Telephone: 1 (800) 387-1479 crohnsandcolitis.ca, or to Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA), Northland Building, 910 7 Ave SW #700, Calgary, AB T2P 3N8, Telephone: (403) 237-6905, calgarycasa.com, or to the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, 2310 2 St SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 3C4, schizophrenia.ab.ca.

 

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

 

In living memory of Peter Joseph Aubry, 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.