Obituary of David Alexander McCoy

David Alexander McCoy passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the age of 65 years. David immigrated to Canada from N.Ireland in 1967 with his wife, Jane. He completed his undergraduate degree in Agriculture at the University of Alberta, winning the Faculty’s gold medal, and went on to obtain an MSc., graduating in 1973. David began his career in Alberta’s soil testing labs in Lethbridge, AB. before moving to Kelowna B.C. to take on the running of B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture labs. In 1982 he returned to Alberta to work for Canterra Energy as a senior environmental scientist and made a smooth transition to Husky during its takeover of Canterra in 1988. David mentored many young environmental scientists by sharing his knowledge and his passion for good environmental management. He made many positive contributions to environmental issues in Alberta, and as a result, leaves the province a better place. He was still working as senior environmental scientist for Husky at the time of his death. David was a warm, compassionate and unconventional man with a keen Irish wit and had a talent for making friends wherever he went. Although he was highly regarded by his peers as an expert in his field he was modest to a fault, and his generosity of spirit governed his relationships with friends and colleagues alike. He had a great love of all things Irish, of literature, soccer, music, Donegal tweed caps (of which he had a great many) and cats. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, most especially by his beloved son John and John’s mother Jane; his brother Mitchell and sister Moira; and by his friend and companion Christine Macken and her son Alexander, of whom David was very fond. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, cash donations may be made at any Royal Bank in Alberta to “The David McCoy in Trust Scholarship” for the benefit of soil science students at David’s Alma Mater or to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation: Tel. (403)264-5549. Fax (403)237-0803. Thanks are extended to the nursing staff and doctors in the cardiac intensive care units at the Foothills Hospital, Calgary for the exemplary care given to David and for the compassion shown to his family members. In living memory of David McCoy, 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