Obituary of Arthur Eric Seal

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Eric Seal on Friday, June 5, 2009, after a lengthy battle with Cancer. Eric was born in Calgary, in the community of South Calgary, but moved shortly after to the community of Altadore, where he spent most of the rest of his life. He was one of three children born to Charles and Annie Seal, who emigrated from Manchester, England. He attended King Edward Public School, and later, Central Collegiate Institute. He was a member of St. Marks Anglican Church and as a boy he sang in the choir, was a member of the Seventh Wolf Cub pack and eventually joined the Seventh Scout troop. While attending high school he played a clarinet in the high school band, the Calgary Native Boys Band and in the Mount Royal College Junior Symphony Orchestra. Several years later he played with the Al-AZHAR Temple Salon Orchestra. In later years he was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Calgary. In 1942 he joined the R.C.A.F. as an apprentice Air Frame mechanic and spent the next ten months learning the trade .He was then posted to a Wireless Air Gunner Flying station in Ontario, Canada where he spent the last two years of WWII, repairing numerous types of Air Craft. After the War he joined CP Rail in the Car Department and worked at Ogden Shops in Calgary, Drake Street Shops in Vancouver, the Vancouver Station and the Calgary Coach yards and station. In 1949 he joined the R.C.A.F. 403 – Reserve Squadron in Calgary where he was presented with the Canada Decoration. He served until 1964, and was released with the commissioned rank of Flying Officer, when the Reserves were closed down in Calgary. Eric and Norma MacRae were married on July 25, 1953, at Puce, Ontario. They returned to Calgary where they had a house built in Meadowlark Park. Four children were to follow in succession: Lynn, Ian, Roberta and David. While they were growing up, the family participated as members of South Calgary Community Association where Eric held the positions of membership director for two years, sports director for two years, and coached hockey for ten years. He also coached soccer and baseball. His career with CP Rail spanned forty two years, where he retired in 1984, as a Car Department foreman. Eric was able to enjoy numerous trips around the world to such exotic places as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Italy, and various points throughout Asia. His hobbies included wood working, traveling, socializing with friends from his early school, Air Force and CP Rail days, and volunteering at the Golden Age club. Eric was a very much beloved father, husband, and grandfather, and is survived by his four children, Lynn and Rob Johnstone (Sean, Cole and Hana), Ian and Cindy Seal (Collin and Cody), Roberta and Steve Remmington, and David Seal, as well as Eric’s long time companion Jean Duckworth. Eric was predeceased by his wife Norma in 1989, and his brothers Charlie and Terry. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Services to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433. In living memory of Eric Seal, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.