Obituary of Fred Kenneth Roy (Roy) GILLESPIE

October 14, 1927 – Calgary,  Alberta
June 4, 2020 – Calgary,  Alberta

With gratitude for a long life well lived, the family of Roy Gillespie announces his passing on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at the age of 92 years due to heart complications.

Roy was the youngest of six children born to Robert and Anna Gillespie in Calgary, AB.  Roy grew up amidst the Great Depression.  Starting at the age of ten, Roy worked hard to support his family and he proved that not all “smarts” in life come from having a post-secondary education.  In the early 1960’s, Roy got a job as a young Landman with Western Decalta Petroleum, mentored by Al Ross.  Within a few years, Roy began to make his name in the emerging Calgary oil patch by scooping many land deals.  Transalta Oil & Gas Ltd. took notice and offered young Roy the chance to own a third of their company and become a vice president in exchange for his legendary negotiating skills. There he formed a lifelong partnership with Georges Rostoker and later became the president of three successful oil companies from the early 1970’s to the early 1990’s, Cherokee Resources Limited, Bonanza Oil & Gas Ltd. and finally Excel Energy Inc.

Roy was one of the legacy group of successful landmen in the early days of the Alberta oil industry. He was a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen for sixty-five years.  He was the chairman of the Oilman’s golf tournament in 1988 and the president of the Calgary Petroleum Club from 1991-1992.  As a director of the Calgary Stampeders Football Club in the 1970’s, he forged a lifelong friendship with their GM, Rogers Lehew.  Roy was a long-time member of the Calgary Golf and Country Club.  He had a passion for golf and all the camaraderie that went with it, enjoying a couple of holes-in-one along the way.

Roy was married twice in his life; first to Mary in 1953, then to Boog in 1975. He was a proud dad to seven kids from those two marriages.  He was a generous man who helped anybody in need, whether it was helping to build a house for a sibling, putting his kids through school or helping a son-in-law get his business going.  No one ever got left behind.  Handsome as a Hollywood movie star, he was a charming gentleman, always ready with an easy smile or a dad joke.  He loved travelling with his family to Hawaii and Las Vegas, eating licorice allsorts, and dancing with all his girls. Roy and Boog’s greatest joy was when their kids or grandkids visited them at the family home.  Roy also loved all his dogs and cats and will be missed by his LBD, Syrah, who provided great companionship to Roy after he lost Boog.

Roy is survived by his children;  Lani (Grant) Utas, Andrea Gillespie, Leslie Wilkie, Sue (Bill) Bradley, Ed (Julie) Battle, Melissa Gillespie (Brent Stickland) and Molly (Jayson) Therrien; ten grandkids who will miss Poppa Honey; Jennifer (Jeremy) Laverick, Duke (Jeanette) Wilkie, Whitney (Dave) Thompson, Eric Utas, Sam (Alanna) Utas; Teddy Battle, Harrison Battle, Alexis Battle, Jeremy Stickland and Sophie Stickland; as well as six great-grandchildren. Roy will also be remembered by his two “honorary daughters”, Debbie Smith (Jeff) and Pippa Doell (Brian) and numerous nieces and nephews, including his namesake, Roy Gillespie Jr. (Rose).

Roy was predeceased by his wife Boog, parents, siblings; Don, Robert Jr, Muriel, Emily and Ted; and son-in-law Greg Wilkie.

A Private Family Service will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Roy’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com, or to Calgary Humane Society, 4455 110 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 2T7 Phone: (403) 205-4455

The family would like to thank the staff at UAL Garrison Green and Dr. Trevor Luk for the great medical care that Roy received over the last two years. The family is deeply indebted to Roy’s three loving caregivers, Jenniffer Robinson, Vikki Benner and Cheryl Augustowich for making his last few years peaceful and comfortable.

In living memory of Roy Gillespie, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.