Obituary of Thomas Brunning Hall

Thomas (Tom) Brunning Hall, beloved husband of Norreen Baker-Hall of Calgary passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the age of 91 years. Tom was born to Edward and Ethel Hall in Calgary on January 4, 1917 at the family home in Mount Royal. Following his matriculation from Central High School he volunteered for the Royal Canadian Navy and was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander where he served aboard a corvette. At the end of the war he joined his father and brother Ned in the operation of Hall Hardware on 8 Ave. S.E., the current site of the Glenbow Museum. In 1957 Tom joined the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede rising to the position of Assistant General Manager. He continued in that position until his retirement in 1978. He then accepted the role as the Calgary Stampede Historian and assisted with the research and development of a book on the hundred year history of the Stampede entitled “A Brand of Its Own.” In 1942 he married Doreen Bradley in Calgary. They were married for 42 years and raised sons Ron and Keith. Sadly, Doreen passed away in 1983. In the years following Doreen’s death, Tom was involved in several volunteer activities with the Southern Alberta Pioneers Association and the Anglican Church in Calgary. In 1986 Tom married his neighbour, Norreen Baker who had been widowed at about the same time as Tom. Together they have enjoyed twenty-two wonderful years of retirement and travel. Tom was a gift to the world and was blessed with a delightful sense of humour. He made friends easily and from all ages and walks of life. Tom possessed a strong personal code of ethics and was always an honourable man. Tom always saw the glass half full and remained positive in his outlook. He made an impact on everyone he met and we are all the better for having known him. Besides his loving wife, Norreen, Tom is survived by his two sons, Ron (Emma Vena) of Victoria and Keith (Ellie) of Calgary; and five grandchildren, Matt, Cory, Josh, Liam and Kate. He is also survived by his niece Joan (Doug) Scarlett of Vancouver, nephew Ed (Terri) Hall of Kelowna and their families. Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway’s “Park Memorial Chapel” on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes in Tom’s honour may be made directly to Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, 604 – 1 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 5H8, Telephone: (403) 269-1905. In living memory of Tom Hall, 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.