Obituary of E.W. Paul LUXFORD

December 26, 1926 – September 26, 2011 Major (ret) R.C.D.C.mil, D.D.S., M.S., F.R.C.D.(C) Dip A.B.O.M.S., F.I.C.D. Elmer William Paul passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, September 26, 2011. He led a wonderful and full life packed into his 84 years. A much loved member in the community, he will be missed by many. Paul was born on 26 December, 1926 in Windsor, Ontario and some of his kindergarten buddies are still his friends to this day. He graduated with a D.D.S. from U of T where he joined the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and made many more friends that endured through his life. He also met his wife and best friend, Nancy Sootheran to whom he was married for 42 years until her death in 1995. He went on to complete post graduate degrees and residencies in Rochester, NY and Boston before moving out to Calgary to be a pioneer in his chosen specialty, Oral and Maxilla-Facial Surgery. He established a thriving practice and was on the rolls of all the Southern Alberta Hospitals. Always one to give back to the community, he was heavily involved in the ongoing teaching and education of those in his specialty both as a sessional lecturer at the faculty of dentistry U of A and with the Royal College exam process. He is Past President of the Calgary and District Dental Society, Charter President of the Alberta Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Past President of the Canadian Society; Charter Fellow, Examiner and Member of Council of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada; Past Representative to the American Council of Oral and Maxillorfacial Surgeons. His honours include Fellowship in the International College of Dentists and Life Fellowships in the Alberta, Canadian and American Professional Societies. An avid skier and outdoorsman, Paul loved Calgary and the mountains. On one such ski adventure, he tore his achillies tendon and learned to play the clarinet during his recovery, subsequently playing his favorite jazz with a band made up of dental colleagues called the ‘Holy Molars’. He is also one of the few people on earth to ‘get’ cryptic crosswords. After retirement, he traveled extensively and formed a love hate relationship with golf. A devoted Calgary fan, he was a long standing volunteer to the Calgary Stampede and, for the past 18 years, he has been a member of the Rotary Club of Calgary. An organization he not only enjoyed immensely but was so proud to be part of their good works. He will be especially missed by his four children and grandson; Lee (Robert Pelzer), Stuart, David, Heather and Leo Luxford, as well as by his older sister Mary Jane Watson and her family and by his dear friend Catherine Evamy and her family. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to celebrate Paul’s life at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 – 8th Street S.W.) on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. Gentlemen: Bow Ties appreciated. Cremation has taken place with later interment at the family plot in Lindsay, ON. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Flowers are gratefully declined but, if so desired, a donation may be made to “The Rotary Club of Calgary (Stay in School Program)”admin@rotaryclubofcalgary.ca; or a tribute gift to benefit the “Christchurch Endowment Trust”info@chriscthurchcalgary.org; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family deeply thanks the wonderful staff at the Carewest Sarcee Hospice.