Obituary of Emlyn Lewis Jessop

January 23, 1943 – Yorkshire, England

December 24, 2021 – Calgary Alberta

Emlyn Jessop, of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 24, 2021, surrounded by his family, at the age of 78 after a long battle with dementia.

Emlyn was born to Annie and Douglas Jessop of Huddersfield, Yorkshire and was a dear brother to the late Hilary (Eric) Smith, as well as uncle to Christine and Michael. After finishing high school, he attended Leicester University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. During this time, he developed a love for leadership while hiking with groups in the Snowdonia mountains of northern Wales and staying at the holiday home, Plas Y Nant, where he formed lifelong friendships. It was the lure of the Rockies that brought Emlyn to Calgary in 1965. Once he arrived, he furthered his education and earned his master’s and PhD at the University of Calgary. In 1968, he met and married his lifelong partner, Donna. Together they raised two sons, Paul and Tim, who were his pride and joy. He had a great love for travel, seeing the world, and was an avid outdoorsman. He thoroughly enjoyed taking his family camping, skiing, and hiking.

Emlyn worked as an Engineer with HG Acres in Niagara Falls, then taught at Algonquin College in Ottawa before returning to Calgary in 1974. He began his work with the Alberta Masonry Institute, as well as the Faculty of Engineering, where he was an assistant professor. In 1989, he became Director of Research Services at U of C until his retirement in 2003. Emlyn was an avid volunteer and fundraiser for many organizations. He was involved with the Calgary Boys Choir, and the Calgary Cubs and Scout troops, where he created the Bearspaw Scout division. He worked with the non-profit organization, Literacy Alberta, as well as the Salvation Army. Emlyn was a respected Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial, as well as an elected member of Senate for the U of C Chancellor and Senate.

If all that didn’t keep Emlyn busy enough, he always had a project on the go. Whether it was building something in the yard, fixing something in the house, or puttering around the garden and showing his sons how to do things, his favourite saying was “If something is worth doing, then do it right the first time”. Emlyn also had a great love for music; he was an amateur conductor whenever classical came on in the house and had a dream to perform in a musical on stage. He also performed in various Gilbert and Sullivan productions with Morpheus Theatre.

Emlyn was especially proud of his large group of friends and was a well-respected man among his peers. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his devoted love for his wife, and as a kind and loving man who always looked for the positive qualities in everyone.

Besides his loving wife Donna, Emlyn is survived by his two sons and two daughters-in-law, Paul and Andrea Jessop, and Tim and Bridgett Jessop; four grandchildren, Darian, Tai, Bronwyn, and Helena; and great granddaughter Esme.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Jessop’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Salvation Army, online at www.salvationarmy.ca, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, online at www.heartandstroke.ca, Rotary Calgary Centennial Club, online at www.rotarycentennial.ca.

In living memory of Emlyn Jessop, 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.

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