Obituary of Hal Rainforth

February 22, 1943 – Lacombe, Alberta

December 14, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Harold “Hal” Rainforth, entered the presence of his Lord Jesus suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 in his 79th year at his home in northwest Calgary.

Born into a Christian home, Hal was raised on the farm east of Lacombe and attended Clive Baptist Church where he was baptized at age of twelve. He showed great interest in mechanical matters by his third birthday and obtained his Private Pilot License in 1961 while in high school.

Hal excelled in his pursuit of a career in aviation attaining numerous qualifications and was employed for 32 years by Pacific Petroleums/Petro-Canada based in Calgary where he became General Manager, Aviation.

The Rainforth’s were a founding family of Westview Baptist Church in Calgary which Hal faithfully supported and served. He simultaneously maintained roles in numerous church and aviation industry organizations.

Hal is survived by  his wife of fifty-seven years Joan; his children Doug (Jackie) and Jules (Bruce); four grandchildren, Brittney (Joel), Austin, Kenton and Jayna; and great-grandaughter, Brooklyn; as well as brothers, David and Bill;  sister Beth Hilman; and many nieces and nephews. Also respecting his memory are numerous former colleagues in the aviation and corporate worlds as well as many personal friends holding deep appreciation for a man who rubbed shoulders with top-ranking members of society yet retained the humility of an Alberta farmboy.

Funeral Services will be held at Westview Baptist Church (1313 Ranchlands Way N.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Due to COVID-19, capacity at the church is limited to 130 attendees. Please register at the following link if you intend to attend the service in person https://www.westviewchurch.ca/events/harold-hal-rainforth-memorial. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Rainforth’s service streamed live at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcyRZwtdMts on the day of the service.  For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWpxDaKT_qAyNyCyFL4LAkA. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. Donations in Hal’s memory may be made to Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada via www.mafc.org.

In living memory of Harold Rainforth, 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.