Obituary of Harold Wilbert McCLELLAND

December 25, 1930 - December 26, 2020 

Harold Wilbert McClelland passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020. Harold was the beloved husband of sixty-four years to Thelma McClelland (nee Tonsaker), brother to Doreen Brisbin (McClelland), devoted and loving father to Marie Gazzard (Doug), Craig McClelland (Angela), and Keith McClelland (Kim), and proud grandpa to Kevin Gazzard (Lisa), Janelle Ritchie (Andrew), Curtis Gazzard (Samantha), Alexa and Madison McClelland, Logan and Sophie McClelland, and proud great-grandpa to Cameron and Noah Ritchie. 

Born on Christmas Day in 1930 on a farm near Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Harold turned 90 on December 25, 2020. His entire career after university was devoted to helping others as a pharmacist for approximately sixty-two years. Upon his retirement, he was told he was one of the longest serving pharmacists in Canada. 

Music was another passion of Harold’s, particularly playing his violin. Many family events often led to people gathering around a piano, guitar and fiddle, playing many old songs he learned from his family during his youth on the farm. 

Harold also had a love of gardening, which is a pastime now enjoyed by his children and grandchildren. He was particularly fond of growing sweet peas and enjoyed receiving bouquets from the family garden. 

A bird hunter in his younger days, Harold continued to enjoy hunting in his later years with his son Craig.

Harold was a great storyteller, and family and friends enjoyed hearing him “spin some yarns” and talk about life on the farm. 

His stories, humour, and incredibly kind spirit will be missed by those who knew him. 

As a large gathering to celebrate his life is not possible at this time, a private family Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Parties interested in viewing a live stream of the Memorial Service are invited to contact the family in order to receive a link to access the service. 

The family would greatly appreciate and encourage friends and extended family to share memories, stories and photos on Harold McClelland’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. The submissions will be included in a family memorial book to be shared at a later date.

Memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta (www.alzheimer.ab.ca), or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, (www.heartandstroke.ca).

In memory of Harold McClelland, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.