Obituary of Thomas Stanley Rooke

July 21, 1950 – McCreary, Manitoba

January 31, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Thomas Rooke of Calgary, AB, passed away after a brief illness, on Monday, January 31, 2022 at the age of 71 years.

Tom was born in McCreary, MB on July 21, 1950. He and his family moved to Regina, SK from Kelwood, MB when he was nine years old.  He played football in high school and, after a short time in the medical supply field, he joined the IT industry in the early 1970s working for NCR. He remained in the IT industry for 50 years, right up until his passing, working for Fujitsu.  Tom’s career took him from Regina, SK to Swift Current, SK, then to Nepean, ON, to Edmonton, AB, to Calgary, AB, to Georgetown, ON, and then finally to Cochrane, AB.

Tom was a member of United Commercial Travellers (UCT) since the late 1970’s. He was a founding member of the Prairie Pistol Club in Swift Current, and while there was involved in the provincial elections.  Later he was also a very dedicated and passionate member of the Cochrane Search and Rescue.  Tom had many hobbies over the years including, but not limited to, photography, guns, automobiles, woodworking, and most recently was starting to develop an interest in blacksmithing.   Tom and Hilda loved to camp, hike, snowshoe, and kayak, enjoying the outdoors and the beauty that surrounded them. And if they could enjoy these pastimes with their grandchildren, all the better. 

Tom is survived by his wife Hilda of 47 years, daughter and son-in-law Leslie and Glen, son and daughter-in-law Steve and Melissa; and three grandchildren, Payton, Cole and Molly. He is also survived by  two brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Gayle and Art and Olga; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his son Chris and his parents Dan and Ethel.

There will be no memorial service at this time, but a celebration of Tom’s life will take place later in the year for close friends and family at a time and place to be announced. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made, in Tom’s honour, directly to Calgary Health Foundation – Foothills Medical Centre, Suite 800, 11012 Macleod Trail S.E., Calgary, AB  T2J 6A5, Telephone: (403)943-0615, www.thetrust.ca, the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, http://www.grpf.caor to the charity of the your choosing.

In living memory of Thomas Rooke, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.