Obituary of Paul Rutherford

Paul Morley Rutherford of Calgary passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the age of 80 years. Paul was born in Aylmer, Quebec eighty years ago. He grew up in a happy home with his older brother Jim and sister Olive. All too soon his father was taken from him and with just a grade 8 education, found himself helping to put food on the family table. Starting in 1945 and until 1976, Paul was a soldier in the Canadian Army. He was 18 when he started basic training, and was later picked to be a member of the Special Air Service or S.A.S. where he specialized in air landings by means of parachute and gliders. Later he became a member of the PPCLI which was an airborne battalion for a number of years. Paul served in Korea with the 1st and 3rd battalions of the PPCLI. In later years, he took his family to Europe while on assignment in Germany. Paul took his family along on most postings, from Victoria in the west, to North Bay, ON. Paul generated his best and lifelong friendships through his time in the armed forces. Paul dearly loved sharing “gut-wrenching” turkey dinners with the Korea gang. He finished his 30 year armed forces career honourably in Calgary in 1976. Then the real work started with positions at ATCO, and finally with the Rockyview Hospital, from whom he retired in 1991. He started his family by marrying Lois Murphy in 1950, and had many happy years until her death in 2006. After his retirement, they were rarely out of sight of one another. Along the way, they picked up Timothy Paul in 1957 and Heather Lee in 1960. Paul took enormous joy helping to raise his children, and then loved visiting them when they had children of their own. He was an active member in his church, and served in many capacities. He seemed to enjoy teaching the fine art of fishing to whoever would listen. He thoroughly enjoyed travel all over the place with his wife, motor home and lets not forget the dog, as a member of the Good Sams RV group. Paul was an artist, a swimmer, a shepherd, a scout leader, a drill sergeant, a mechanic, a carpenter, a cook, a nurse, an RV camper, a friend, a father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. Funeral Services will be held at St. Mark’s Anglican Church (1802 – 33 Avenue S.W.) on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Bob Bettson Presider. 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 St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Paul Rutherford 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.