Obituary of Thomas Eric Cropper

Eric Cropper passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, December 14, 2008. Eric will be lovingly remembered by his wife Elinor (Lyn) and by his sons, Simon (Mary) of Calgary, and Tony (Kelly) in Qatar; grandchildren, Lindsey, Melanie, Megan and Jennifer (Troy Woods); great-grandchildren, Rachel and Katie Woods; and his nephews, Richard Jones (Sue) UK, John Jones (Marianne) of Ontario, and Peter Cropper of UK. Eric was predeceased by his father, Russell, his mother, Frances, and his brother, Leslie. Eric was born and raised in Manchester, England. He met and married his beautiful wife, Lyn, in Bangor, Wales, on October 18, 1947. At the outbreak of WWII in 1939, Eric enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving in the North Atlantic, the South Pacific and the Mediterranean for which he was later awarded the Malta Medal. He served on the HMS Foresight, Tynedale, Glasgow, Challenger and the HMAS Quickmatch. Following the war, he was employed by the BBC. Eric immigrated to Canada in 1961 to work on the Mid-Canada Line for Marconi. Eric then took up employment with Kidd Creek Mines in Timmins, ON, where the family resided for the following 28 years. In 1989 Eric and Lyn moved to Calgary, where Eric continued to enjoy his gardening and his love of music. Eric had a long musical career playing the piano professionally at the age of 15 and continuing to play at any opportunity throughout his life. For the past 20 years, he entertained regularly at the Kerby Centre. Throughout his life, Eric was active in the Masons, the Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Burma Star. Eric was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his volunteer work and community service. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.) on Friday, December 19 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kerby Centre, 1133 – 7 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 1B2 Telephone: (403) 705-3215.