Obituary of Wesley (Wes) Abel

May 14, 1936 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
December 9, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta 

Wesley (Wes) Abel, beloved husband of Helga Bittner, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the age of 85 years.

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on May 14, 1936 and raised on a farm with fourteen siblings, he learned the value of hard work and teamwork from an early age.  He was a self made man who bettered himself by working as a roughneck in the oil patch while finishing high school and attending university.  His hard work and persistence led him to graduate top of his class, earning the Gold Medal in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta. 

It was during this time that he and his first wife, Laura, started a family with their daughter Cheryl and son Tim.  Wes began his long career with Mobil Oil Canada, pioneering some of the early off-shore oil drilling programs.  He swiftly moved up the organization leading him to spearhead and manage innovative projects overseas in Norway, the United Kingdom, and Newfoundland.  His success and reputation for fairness and human compassion earned him respect throughout the industry.  After his retirement from Exxon/Mobil he continued to consult and was considered a valued resource in his field by many of his colleagues.  

His wife Laura passed in 2002 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Wes decided to officially retire, embarking on the next chapter of his life.  During a cruise to Antarctica in 2006 he met Helga Bittner who would become his next love and wife in 2014.  Wes and Helga enjoyed travelling and lived out his final years between Canada and her home in Australia. 

He embraced life's experiences and always enjoyed going back to the farm when he could.  A humble man who accomplished so much passed away peacefully with his family at his side.   He is survived by his wife Helga; his children Cheryl and Tim; and his sister Berna. Wes is predeceased by numerous siblings and his first wife Laura. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca or to the charity of your choice.  Private memorials will be arranged at a future date to accommodate Wes’ family and friends. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Wesley (Wes) Abel, 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.