Obituary of Zdenek "Paul" MASTALIR

October 21, 1928 – Kanina, Czechoslovakia
January 2, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Zdenek “Paul” Mastalir of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the age of 92 years.

Paul was born in Kanina, Czechoslovakia on October 21, 1928.  He immigrated to Canada in 1951, and settled in Calgary, AB, in 1954.  Paul married the love of his life, Norma Jean Chalmers in 1956 and they were happily married for fifty years, prior to her passing in 2007.  He was a devoted and caring father to their children Norman and Cynthia.

Paul spent much of his life dedicated to the food service industry, sharing his vast knowledge with young culinarians.  His passion for culinary arts was manifested in his twenty-eight years developing and growing the world-renowned culinary arts program at SAIT.  Paul was a founding member of both the Calgary Academy of Chefs and the Canadian Culinary Federation.  He was elected to the “College of Diplomats”, a select group of individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to the development of food service and hospitality training and education in 1983.  Later that year, he was awarded Chef of the Year by the Calgary Academy of Chefs, and thereafter named Chef of the Year for Canada in 1984.  Paul was also a founding member of the Alberta South Bailliage of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, from which grew many life-long friendships.  He was the regional Bailli, as well as the Conseiller Culinaire du Canada for several years.  In 1984, he was awarded the “Maitre d’Honneur”.  Paul also spent many years volunteering with the Heritage Park Society and was made an Honorary Life Member in 1994.

Paul accomplished much through his life and was particularly proud of being the team manager for the Canadian Team at the Culinary Olympics in 1976, where they won the gold medal.  He subsequently led the first Canadian student team to the Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, Germany in 1984.  Paul’s passion to create a vibrant culinary scene in Calgary was accomplished through mentoring countless chefs and students over the years.

Paul will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren as the cribbage master, the roompta music inventor, and for his zest for video recording all family events.  His movies are now treasured family memories.

Paul is survived by his son Norman (Alice) Mastalir of Whistler, BC, daughter Cindy (Peter) Findlay of Calgary, AB, grandchildren, Devin (Katie), Melissa (Mike), Sarah (Harkaran) and Jason (Simon); and two great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Spencer.  Paul is also survived by his sister Mila of the Czech Republic, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Paul’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

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