Obituary of William Albert Fennessey

It is with great sadness that the family of William (Bill) Fennessey announces his passing on Monday, October 1, 2007 from heart failure, at the age of 75 years. Bill was born and raised in Delacour, AB, a small farming community a short distance north east of Calgary. Bill?s dad was a farmer and grain elevator operator. The family weathered the dust storms of the 1930?s and the cold winters of the prairies in a stove heated house, and all of the kids rode their horses to a one room school house each day. Bill always claimed that the Fennessey?s were lucky in those years. There was a railroad station adjacent to their farm which provided a constant supply of labour during the depression, men who were happy to work for a meal or two. Since the family grew or raised everything they needed, the family prospered, always with a farmhouse full of grateful visitors. Bill was an exceptional athlete, and played hockey, football and baseball in his early years. Baseball became Bill?s calling and he quickly became a household name in rural Alberta. So much so, that in 1953 he was scouted and signed to a contract with the Brooklyn Dodger organization. Bill played in their farm system in Oklahoma and California and enjoyed being close to such players as Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson and Peewee Reese. In 1954, Bill met his wife Joyce, and Calgary became his permanent home. He started working for Westinghouse Canada and spent the next forty years with the firm as regional manager. Bill continued working in the electrical business until recently as the founding partner of the company, Alberta Breaker & Supply Co. Bill and Joyce had two sons, Randy and Kevin and spent their early family life in the community of Charleswood where Bill was very active coaching the boys in sports. In 1972, the family moved to Elbow Park and they enjoyed many years playing sports at the Glencoe Club and golfing at the Calgary Golf and Country Club. Bill and Joyce had a life long circle of friends and spent many summers in the Okanagan and Osoyoos, winters in Hawaii, and in Scottsdale, AZ. Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Randy and Andrea and by his three grandchildren, Robert, Sarah, and Michael. He was predeceased by his wife Joyce in 2005 and his son Kevin in 2006. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY?S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 ? 8th Street S.W.) on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen?s Park Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 ? 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. Special thanks to Dr. Jim Stone, Elaine MacDonald and the doctors and nursing staff at the Rockyview General Hospital. In living memory of Bill Fennessey, 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