Obituary of Archie Raymond Boyd

Archie Boyd passed away at the Southwood Hospice on Friday, April 24, 2009 at the age of 82 years. Archie was born in Wainwright, Alberta, in a time when families followed the oilfield jobs. They moved to the Turner Valley area in 1933 often referring to the areas in the valley where they lived as "Little New York" or “Little Chicago". He grew up in the "light of the flares" attending Turner Valley High School until 1943 when he signed up to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy like his older brothers. Upon discharge in 1946, Archie worked a number of jobs in the oil patch before attending “Tech” (SAIT) making many lifelong friends, including Fred Whitman, and completing a Mechanical Draftsman certification. He met and married Joyce in 1950 and they embarked on their journey of almost sixty years together in the oil patch in many parts of the world. They trekked off to Holland with family in tow from 1966-1969 and then Archie took up consulting for a number of years and the two of them flew off to England from 1981-1985, visiting many new places and making new friends where ever they went. Returning to Canada from England, they opted for full time retirement in 1987 and spent many long summers at Shuswap Lake on the Joy-Arc watching their grandchildren grow up, all the while investing a small fortune in the wooden boat that was originally dropped into the back yard as a diversion and turned into the second love of his life. All this time, Archie never missed the annual fall Goose Hunt, planning and looking forward to it all year. During retirement, one of his pet projects was assisting with the creation of the monument just south of the caragana hedge that still grows where the family home once stood in "Little Chicago" (7 miles south of Black Diamond.) The monument honours the early pioneers of the oil industry in the area. His woodworking hobby saw Archie spend many pleasurable hours in his basement workshop crafting wooden creations, both functional and artistic. For over fifty years Archie was a member of Al Azhar Shrine Club, active for many years in the Patrol. He and Joyce traveled extensively with the club, enjoying the Shrine camaraderie. He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joyce; sons Brent (Janet) and Earl (Monique); daughter Holly (Syd) Wilcox; along with grandsons Eric, Alex, Kody and Andrew; as well as granddaughter Carole (Brad) Long; and great-grand children Hailey & Brayden. In addition, Uncle Archie leaves behind many nieces and nephews who benefited from his simple but honest wisdom. He was predeceased by his parents Earl and Betty; as well as brothers, Bud and Buster; and sisters, Vi Wark and Shirley Hanson. A Celebration of Archie’s life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Archie’s memory may be made directly to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 2888 Shaganappi Trail N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955-8818. Special thanks to the staff in Unit 71 at the Rockyview Hospital and to the staff at the Southwood Hospice for their compassionate care of Archie in his last weeks. In addition, the family would like to express their gratitude to Joyce and Archie’s wonderful neighbours, Jim and Geri Schmit. In living memory of Archie Boyd, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.