Obituary of Gordon HARTLEY

November 14, 1937 – Calgary, Alberta
July 5, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Gordon Hartley of Calgary, AB, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at the age of 82, while surrounded by incredibly caring people.

He was born in Calgary on November 14, 1937. Gordon married Liz in 1968 and they were married for thirty-one years. Early on, he worked in the oil and gas industry as a landman and then for the later half of his career, worked at Southland Transportation, first as a driver and after as their main route/map planner.

Dad accomplished much throughout his life. In particular, he was proud of being able to witness the birth of both his sons and also of having obtained his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, given he struggled as a kid at high school. Gordon was a member of the Alberta Hunter Education Instructor’s Association and the Kananaskis Gun & Archery Club, as dad enjoyed both target and trap shooting for many years. His favourite motto to live his life by (as written in the many notebooks he kept) was “Change what you can. Manage what you can’t”.

Pop will be most remembered for his love of maps, his interest in both cryptography and history, and enjoyment of photography. He was a lifelong learner and a problem solver. Dad is remembered for his preference for a quiet and simple life. We appreciated his curious demeanour and the sincerity and interest he showed whenever he spoke to others. He was a loving and caring father who drove his young sons everywhere for the sports they played.

Dad is survived by Liz, in Calgary; his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Darlene, in High River, AB; and his eldest son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Brad, Erin, Isabell, Andrew, Claire and Isaac, in Victoria, BC. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Mary Hartley, in Edmonton, AB, numerous nieces and nephew in AB and BC, and his close good friends, such as Lorraine and Eric Platt. Gordon was predeceased by his two older brothers, Jim and George Hartley; and his sister-in-law, Vera Hartley.

As per Gordon’s request, no funeral will be held. To you, his family and friends, please add any of your comments or photos to remember him by on this page, as we would love for you to share them with us all.

To celebrate Gordon’s life, as he enjoyed the occasional scotch or gin and tonic and he was always interested in astronomy too, we hope you will pause to enjoy a moment or more to reflect on your friendship with him over any drink or while you admire the night sky.

We hope you view the extra photos we have added for your enjoyment.

In living memory of Gordon Hartley, 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.