Obituary of WILLMENT – Irving Frank Ashley

April 14, 1925 – February 26, 2011 Irving Willment of Calgary passed away peacefully at the Peter Lougheed Centre early Saturday morning, February 26, 2011 at the age of 85 years. Irv was husband to his beloved Joan Willment in a marriage that spanned 57 years. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter Jo-Anne of Calgary, his son Steve and grandson Chance both of Prince George, BC. Born in Windsor Mills, ON to Louisa and Frank Willment, Irv was raised in the Town of Mount Royal in Montreal. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy at 19 years of age, serving on the frigate H.M.C.S. Sussexvale, assigned to submarine patrol in British coastal waters. After the war, he worked in Toronto, where he married Joan Cooper in 1952. They spent their family years in Pointe Claire, on the West Island of Montreal. As he progressed through the sales departments in the paper industry and later the hosiery business, he became Vice-President, Marketing, a position which took the family to Belleville and Toronto. Wherever he went Elsa, his dear Labrador Retriever and later Chelsa, a Golden Retriever were always by his side. His helpful, gentlemanly and gentle ways led to close friendships that survive today. We will all miss his fabulous sense of humour, creative ingenuity and participation in many, many humorous events. His greatest love was listening to Joan playing the piano and enjoying her concerts given over the years. In 2000, both arrived in Calgary to be closer to their adult children. Again, many close friendships were made while they enjoyed independent living, and later when they relocated to Valley Ridge Lodge in Calgary. The residential community he so enjoyed ranged from young adults to senior residents and for each he developed a special relationship. The Lodge shall be forever remembered as a wonderful community to Dad and we express thanks to the staff for their many kindnesses over the years. In mid-January of this year Irv was admitted to the Foothills Hospital and later transferred to the Peter Lougheed for major surgery. The Willment family wishes to express their gratitude to the physicians, specialists and nursing staff at the Foothills Medical Centre and to the Surgical Unit #29 at the Peter Lougheed Centre for their professional and thoughtful care to Dad. A Celebration of Irving’s Life will be held in the “Labyrinth Room” at Knox United Church (506 – 4th Street S.W.) on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a light reception in the Knox Theatre. You may forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Rosedale Hospice, 920 – 7A Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3J3. Telephone: (403) 284 – 5195. In living memory of Irving Willment, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE.