Obituary of Desmond Charles HOLLOX

“A promise of new life returning

Sometime hence in distant spring

The Chinook hour is not for sparing

Birds go early on the wing.”

Desmond Hollox loved the freedom of open spaces and the excitement of new vistas. He was a lover of nature and passionate about honouring her: from romantic pastoral England, to exotic India, to the towering churning forests of British Columbia, to a single prairie flower. He paid tribute to these wonders in poems, stories and paintings.

He was a conservationist; just one example of his respect for the land was collecting pine saplings and relocating them to yards in Calgary where many still stand. He not only lived history but also delved into it, leading him more specifically to trace the roots and branches of the family tree.

As a brave teenager, he joined the Royal Air Force Reserve. Further to the indelible experience of World War II, he joined the Queen’s Royal Regiment where he went on to become a Clerk and Staff Sergeant in India. Later, he was a member of the Canadian Militia and was always ready to contribute to his country.

Desmond’s employment included working for Lloyd’s of London, which was the start of many years in the insurance business. He was especially proud when he started his own business, Hollox Insurance Services, on 8th Avenue.

He was a champion of many causes, from membership in political parties to the environment, to heritage preservation and to protection of wildlife: Desmond had the courage of his convictions.

Desmond excelled as a Grandpa. He entertained his grandchildren singing while sweeping, regaling them with stories and specialized pranks – all met with their joyous laughter. More importantly – and, so his grandchildren can know where their passions came from – he is responsible for giving many intangible gifts. Des shared his many keen interests with them: past and current events, poetry and prose, acting (especially recent work as a film extra), art, aviation, astronomy, paleontology, collecting, languages, Peruvian Paso horses, and his dogs. The grandchildren shadowed him in the yard, watching and helping his resourceful tinkering and his creative way of making something from nothing. To their delight, his building specialty expanded from building birdhouses to playhouses for them!

Desmond was always handsome but also had a real sense of panache. This was part of his colourful character and only one of the ways that he showed that celebrating one’s own authenticity and individuality was important.

One lesson Desmond learned from his own family growing up and which he shared with us was to demonstrate fortitude – to keep uppermost a positive spirit through any adversity.

Desmond Hollox was born on January 11, 1926, in Ealing, Middlesex, England. After showing his first streak of independence as a teenager during the War, he left England for Canada. Desmond and Martina married in 1951 in Toronto. After spending nearly a decade in British Columbia the family moved to Calgary where “Dema” and “Marty” raised their three children: Ann, Mark and Julie.

He is survived by his treasured wife of 65 years, Martina, his daughter Ann (Jim) Howell, his son Dr. Mark Hollox, and his daughter Julie Gray; his grandchildren Holly (Daniel), Niall (Alicja), Mariann (Luke) and Claire; and his great-grandchildren Frances and Maggie; his brothers Gordon Hollox (Yvonne), and Dr. Graham Hollox (Gillian); nephews Tony Hollox, Peter Hollox, and nieces Dr. Christine Sanderson and Dr. Julia Sanderson.

Desmond was predeceased by his parents Winifred and Charles, his sister Joan Sanderson, and his son-in-law Gary Gray. He joined them on Sunday, February 28, 2016.

His joy, personality and character were so huge that we will always feel a void. We see him in each other and that will suffice until we meet again.

“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.

And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God.

That shall be better to you than light and safer than a known way.

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.”

Thank you to McInnis and Holloway Funeral Directors for their dignified support. Private outdoor memorial to follow. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In living memory of Desmond Hollox, 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.