Obituary of Albert Thomas LITTLE

February 2, 1943 - September 1, 2020

Bert Little of Calgary, AB passed away with the aid of Medically Assisted in Dying (MAID) on the date of his choice at the age of 77 years after a five month brutal battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma.  Bert went peacefully and on his terms, not cancer’s. Bert's great humour and quick wit skillfully kept everyone laughing even after August 6 when he learned of a one to three month prognosis.

Bert enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1960 and served three years of active duty completing basic training in Halifax, then to Cornwallis, NS, where he joined Queen's Sunset Guard (St. Laurent Division) and completed communications to Able Seaman Signal Group 1.  He served on HMCS Inch Arran with the most memorable event being the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when it was ordered to shadow the Soviet intelligence trawler Shkval, followed by service on HMCS Cape Scott when it deployed to Bermuda. Bert met his wife Effie (of almost sixty years) at one of the Digby, NS dances. Bert was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association (Calgary Branch) and Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 264 Kensington). Bert was employed by the Calgary Board of Education for thirty-seven years starting in the Purchasing Dept. and worked his way up by completing accounting and business classes at night school. He finished out his career as Business Manager at Central Memorial High School for thirty years until he retired in 1999. Bert's love of the outdoors and adventurous spirit led his family and closest friends on many camp and ski trips across North America. He was an expert at self-taught everything. From being a skilled handyman learned from time spent on the family farm near Clive, AB to helping friends with renovations, construction, plumbing, etc., to teaching his family and some friends racquetball, canoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, tennis and golf.  The past twenty years Bert and Effie spent much time hiking, cycling and golfing while RVing in Arizona for the winters.

Besides his loving wife Effie, Bert is survived by his son Dean, and daughter Sundie Bergamin, son-in-law Chris and grandchild Danielle, all of Calgary.  Bert is also survived by his two brothers and their wives, Rick (Donna) of Sherwood Park, AB and Jackie (Jaime Truong) of Calgary, as well as nieces Keri and Heather.

Bert was predeceased by his parents Jack and Jean, and older brother Bob.

Special mention and thanks to Bert's team of doctors: F. Pepple, J. Pinilla, G. Gotto, P. Belletrutti, D. Heng, C. Gan; the wonderful staff at Chinook Hospice for your loving care for the past twenty-three days; and finally to the entire MAID team and in particular Virginia, Paula and Dr. Peloquin for your professionalism and care in guiding Bert and his family. 

As MAID nurse practitioner Rae said, "smooth sailing Bert".

As per Bert's request there will not be a service. Message of condolences can be forwarded to the family by mail c/o McInnis & Holloway Park Memorial location at 5008 Elbow Dr. SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5.  Memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Bert's obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Albert Little, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.