Obituary of Blair HOCKLEY

September 4, 1973 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  
March 5, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta    

Robert “Blair” Hockley, beloved husband of Angela Hockley (nee Bartsch) and father of Mason and Connor, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm on Friday, March, 5, 2021 at the age of 47 years. 

Blair was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He attended Prince Philip Elementary School and Walter Murray High School. As he was growing up Blair played hockey and baseball. During his formative years at home, Blair and his family regularly travelled to Wales to visit his aunts, uncles, and cousins. These trips instilled a love of travelling in Blair. 

While attending university, Blair met and became friends with Angela. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical), Blair and Angela both moved to Calgary for employment, and a life together began to form. Blair and Angela were married on July 4, 1998. Employment opportunities soon sent them overseas where they lived for many years in Abu Dhabi and Nigeria. While living overseas they were able to travel to many different areas of the world such as Egypt, Malaysia, South Africa, and, of course, Wales. 

After returning to Calgary in 2008, Blair continued to work for Shell.  He was delighted to welcome his first son Mason to the family in 2008, and then Connor in 2010.  He loved to take his two boys skiing, golfing, camping, and fishing. He also took karate with them, where he had earned a blue belt and was looking forward to earning his black belt.

In 2010 Blair joined Athabasca Oil Corporation. He was Vice President of Thermal Oil from 2014 - 2017 and was very proud his work on the Hangingstone Project at Fort McMurray. Since 2017, he has worked for a variety of companies, providing consulting services.  

A dedicated engineer, Blair was a member of APEGA. As a proud alumnus, Blair was an alumni contact in Calgary for the University of Saskatchewan. He also volunteered as chairman of the Calgary Engineering Advancement Trust (EAT) Fundraising Committee for the University of Saskatchewan. 

Blair will be most remembered for his bigger-than-life presence, generosity of spirit, loving heart, and devotion to his family and friends.

Besides his loving wife and children, Blair is also survived by his mother, Mair Hockley, his sister Alexandra (Greg) Oster, parents-in-law, Don and Lu Bartsch; sister-in-law Janet (Kevin) Minshull, nieces, Jessica and Katrina Minshull; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in both Canada and Wales. Blair was predeceased by his father Robert Hockley. 

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.  Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. 

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

In living memory of Blair Hockley, 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.