Obituary of William John MOONEY

Bill admits to being wild in his early days, when trips to pick-up games of hockey took the place of attending school. Things changed when Father Athol Murray accepted him as a student at Notre Dame College. It was done as a favour to his mother Esther and nobody at the time expected the free-spirited boy to thrive under the school’s rigorous standards. Bill confounded all expectations and emerged as a successful scholar, talented athlete and student leader. Having completed his second year of post-secondary Liberal Arts studies, Bill left Notre Dame in 1952 with a steadfast belief in Athol Murray’s core principles that every life is insignificant until you yourself make it great, everything is done by people and everyone has a responsibility to serve community and society. Bill had an illustrious career in Oil and Gas after graduating from Colorado College in 1954 with a BSc in Geology. Bill will attest that Lois was the best partner contributing to and celebrating their success together. He joined Cities Service as a geologist in 1957 and became President of Canada Cities Service in 1975 followed by a move to London, England in 1978 as President Cities Service Europe, Africa and Middle East. Bill continued in the industry with various companies finishing his career as President and CEO of Centipede Energy and then Millipede Energy. Throughout his career, Bill Mooney has been front and centre during some of the most pivotal moments in the evolution of the Alberta energy sector, serving as a valued advisor to provincial and federal government leaders on a range of matters and policy accords. Central to his contributions has been his ongoing commitment to finding effective cooperative solutions between government and industry on issues of the day. For example, in 1975, Bill was credited with facilitating the agreements between three energy companies (Imperial, Cities Service and Gulf) and the Governments of Alberta, Canada and Ontario to ensure effective collaboration on what was then known as the “Syncrude Project.” In all negotiations and cooperative efforts throughout his career, Bill held true to one over-riding belief – that if he put the interests of his country first, his province second, and his company third then every solution would be beneficial for all parties involved. Bill humbly offers the lion share of credit to others who worked with him on various initiatives over the years, but colleagues in the industry are quick to recognize his singular contributions. Bill’s other commitments to the industry include membership in numerous professional organizations as well as service as chairman of the Board of Governors for the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame and Chairman of the Saskatchewan Petroleum Industry Hall of Fame. He was vice-chairman of both the Alberta Environmental Research Trust and the Alberta Special Waste Management Corporation. Bill is a Member of the Saskatchewan and Canadian Petroleum Halls of Fame. He holds the Notre Dame Medal of Honour, the Alberta Centennial Medal and the A.O.E Alberta Order of Excellence. While Bill Mooney has spent his career serving the energy sector, he has found equal time to support many worthy community and non-profit endeavours. He has been a member of the Board of Regents and Board of Governors for his beloved Athol Murray’s Notre Dame and has raised funds and organized events for a wide range of charitable organizations in Alberta. Bill has placed a particular focus on efforts to support hospitals and medical research as well as disabled youth and children’s aid programs. He has served as a chairperson, event speaker and key fundraiser to organizations such as the United Fund, the Calgary Children’s Hospital, Rockyview Hospital, Don Bosco Homes, the Calgary Zoo, the Liver Foundation, the Mazankowski Heart Institute, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Calgary Milk Fund. His lifelong passion for sports is reflected in the volunteer service he has offered to the Calgary Community Midget Football Association, the Canadian Old Time Hockey Players and the Calgary Stampeders Football Club. When asked what he is most proud of, Bill points to his family and all of the great friends that have helped him do what he’s wanted to do over the years. What he has always wanted to do is to act as a steadfast Canadian and Albertan and a faithful promoter of the best interests of the province and country that he was honoured and privileged to call home. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Lois; his sister Margaret Anne; his children Bill &Lorraine (Billy, Connor, Kelly), Mike (Alex and Michael), Tim & Margo (Joe, Katie and Anna), Melissa (Christopher and Jeffrey) and Barbara (Curtis). He is also survived by a great-granddaughter Alina. Bill was survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins. Bill knew from very early in his life he had been adopted. After many years of wondering a Murphy cousin helped him in a serious search and he discovered his birth mother was a Campbell from PEI and he had many Campbell cousins, most of whom he met 3 years ago and they brought much joy to his life. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Markin MacPhail Building at WinSports Canada Olympic Park, (88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. If friends so desire in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Mooney Bursary at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, Main St, Wilcox, SK S0G 5E0, (306) 732-2080. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Bill Mooney, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.