Obituary of John David Payne

February 21, 1950 – Toronto, Ontario 
January 14, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of John David Payne, beloved husband of Maureen Payne (nee Hughes) of Calgary, AB, on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the age of 71 years, following a lengthy battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurological disease fought with grace and dignity. 

David lived his life from an early age in Edmonton and later in his career, Calgary, AB where he built many lifelong friendships in both cities. The senior Payne family was among many eastern newcomers to Alberta in the 50’s, leaving their roots and starting a fresh life in Western Canada. This stood well with him as he learned from a hardworking, strong, and supportive family, surrounded by his mother’s nursing friends and his father cricket partners. Joining his father at the cricket club was a regular family outing for the Payne’s and David went on to the Junior Canadian Cricket Team in the late 60’s. 

A golf course later replaced the cricket field where he and his friends would play rounds at the old Victoria course in Edmonton, AB. That was the beginning of a lifelong recreational interest in golf, and in later years he played St. Andrews and the Black Bush Tournament in Northern Ireland.  However, his best times, (never realizing his goal of a scratch golfer), were at Earl Grey Golf Club where he shared a passion for the game with a group of guys for over twenty-five years. 

Dave’s character was best defined as a thoughtful, principled, straight talker, and goal-oriented individual with a desire to improve all aspects of his personal, family and business life. A family man at heart, Dave valued his time introducing his sons to skiing, golfing, boating and coaching community hockey. He graduated from The University of Alberta in 1971 with a B. Com and an MBA in 1980 and CDC (Institute of Corporate Directors). With over 40 years in corporate and management consulting at Canadian Utilities, Price Waterhouse Coopers and The Hay Group/ Korn Ferry, his initial focus was on human resource management and in later years, a specialization in reward management and executive compensation and Board Governance issues. This background led to numerous volunteer Boards and committees or just advice to a number of arts and social programs, including The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Hull Homes, United Way, The Rozsa Awards and the University of Alberta MBA Alumni, post retirement. Dave will be remembered by those he coached as a strategic and encouraging leader who could develop the individual with the ultimate goal of improving the organization’s effectiveness. Thankfully, during early retirement and before his illness, many winters south and international trips were realized satisfying his desire to live life to the fullest and experience various cultures. 

The family would like to thank and recognize the support from Alberta Health Services Home Care program; Dr. Justyna Sarna and clinic at the Movement Disorders Clinic, the Cumming School of Medicine; Dr. Martin Harvey; Rockyview Hospital Unit 56; The Mad Tasker; and the management and care workers at Silverado Senior Community where David spent his final month. We will miss him. 

He leaves to mourn his wife Maureen (nee Hughes); sons, Mark and Dan (Lisa Kasper); and two granddaughters, Grace and Eloise; and brother Doug (Mike McEwen) of Toronto. David was predeceased by his mother Mary Genevieve Payne (nee O’Leary) on November 2021; father, Kenneth Carr Payne on September 2000, and James on June 2014. 

A Private Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (8944 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. Followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. at Earl Grey Golf Club.The Church service will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/MHvdaAy3OkI on the day of the Mass.  Comply with all the Covid-19 restrictions. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. 

If friends so desire, please contribute to a charity of your choice or to the following organizations supported by the Payne family: The Movement Disorders Clinical Trials Program at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Online contributions can be made at: https://engage.ucalgary.ca/johndavidpayne. Cheques can be made out to "University of Calgary" with "John David Payne Tribute" in the memo and sent to: University of Calgary OVC 131 2500 University Dr NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Attn: Stephanie Kallay, or to The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, information like above. 

In living memory of David Payne, 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.