Obituary of Leonard Webb

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Len Webb of Calgary on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at the age of 82 years. He passed away at the Foothills Medical Centre, surrounded by his entire family. Len was born in Calgary in 1923 to Mary and Alfred Webb, who had emigrated from Liverpool, England. He was the sixth child in a family of seven boys and one girl. His father died when Len was only thirteen, so, as his brothers had before him, Len went to work at the age of fifteen to help support the family. He began work as a stock boy in the City of Calgary yard. When World War II began, Len lied about his age so that he could join the Royal Canadian Navy. Throughout the war he was stationed on a Corvette that guided and protected ships across the North Atlantic between Canada and Britain. When the war was over he came home to “get going with his life again”, returning to the City of Calgary to work. Over the years he assumed positions of ever increasing importance and responsibility and ultimately became the Director of Purchasing. The highlight of his career was the bringing of the LRT to Calgary. It was on the City of Calgary bowling team that he met his future wife Pearl and they were married in 1950. Three daughters arrived over the next few years and it was said that it was a good thing that Len was such a softie, living as he did, in a household of women. His patience was legendary, especially for his girls, who have grown up to love the same pastimes he did – music, gardening and art. There being no boys in the family, the girls were all taught how to properly mow the lawn, shovel snow and prepare a room to be painted. After a successful career with the City of Calgary, Len decided at the age of 55 to retire early to pursue other interests. Golf lessons were taken and a cabin built in the Windermere Valley. Len, Pearl and the girls (and many boyfriends) built, furnished and fully enjoyed that cabin. Whether in Calgary or at the cabin, all the young men who encountered Len were made to feel welcome and important. There were countless evenings of six o’clock gin and tonics or ten o’clock tea and bran muffins when various boyfriends and girlfriends would drop by just to enjoy a conversation. Len was a vital part of all their lives as they grew up and entered the adult world themselves. When the grandchildren arrived on the scene, a new chapter in the life of Len began. He loved and spoiled all three. Granddad was always available to baby-sit, chauffeur, play cards or give the bath. As the grandkids grew, he instilled in them the same loves as he had in his three girls. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Pearl; their three daughters, Kathleen (Mark Ferrier), Janet and Marion (Roy Bricker); three grandchildren, Ward Algar and Dan and Lee Ferrier. He is also survived by his brothers, Jim of Victoria, B.C. and Doug of Cambridge, ON. He was predeceased by his brothers Alfred, John, Norm and Bill; and sister Dorothy. Len was loved by us all and we were well loved in return. He will be greatly missed. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. 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. The family would like to offer a special thanks to the Foothills Medical Centre’s Trauma staff for their kind and compassionate care. In living memory of Len Webb, 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.