Obituary of Charles Stuart Dempsey

Charles Dempsey, beloved husband of Rita of Calgary, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at the age of 78 years. Charles was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England. He was educated in York and Leeds and qualified as a Mechanical Engineer at Brunel while working for Ford Motor Company at Dagenham, Essex. He did his National Service with the R.A.F. where he trained as a radio technologist. Charles immigrated to Canada in 1957 where he met Rita, his wife of 48 years, and started his long career in the oil industry. Accredited as a Professional Engineer in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, he applied his knowledge of tribology across many industries as a technical specialist with British American Oil, in Toronto, Gulf Oil in Vancouver and Calgary, and PetroCanada in Calgary where he worked until his retirement. Following retirement, Charles rounded out his career working in the alternative fuels area as Technical Director for the Propane Gas Association – a highlight being the Drive Clean Across America promotion – and finally as a consultant. Charles was a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, APEGGA, Fellow of the Institute of Petroleum, and Life Member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He maintained his connection with friends and colleagues through the “Gas Gang” and PetroCanada Retirees groups. He was also active with the Canadian Prairies Group of Chartered Engineers. Charles enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing with family and friends, bicycling, listening to music and tending his garden. An avid reader, he was a familiar face at the Alexander Calhoun library. Charles and Rita used their retirement years to travel to many wonderful places and visit loved ones near and far. Family, friends and colleagues will miss his dry wit and gentle manner. Charles is survived by his loving wife, Rita, his son Andrew and devoted daughter Alison. A celebration of his life will be held at McInnis & Holloway’s “Park Memorial Chapel” (5008 Elbow Drive South West) on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 2:30P.M. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Mustard Seed Street Ministry, 102 – 11 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 Telephone: (403) 269-1319, www.theseed.ca., the Salvation Army, 420 – 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0R9 Telephone: (403) 410-1111, www.salvationarmy.org. or to the charity of choice. In living memory of Charles Dempsey, 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.