Obituary of Ric Irving

August 27, 1946 – Edmonton, Alberta

June 27, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Our Dad and our biggest fan passed away peacefully on June 27, 2022, surrounded by his family, at the age of 75 years.

Ric Irving was born on August 27, 1946, in Edmonton, Alberta. Ric grew up in a loving family, including his mother Hazel, father Eric and three sisters, Sharon (d. 1992), Darlene and Wendy. His father was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. As such Ric’s family lived throughout Canada and the U.K. in his early years. Ric was a strong athlete growing up playing and excelling at many sports. However, it was soccer that he gravitated towards and became a true passion of his. He thrived wherever he played including being invited to the Nottingham Youth Soccer Team while leaving in England. He pursued soccer at the University of Guelph where he represented the Gryphons and was considered one of the top scorers in his days and enjoyed a number of memorable games. Ric eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1969 and landed a role with Shell Canada in Toronto in their burgeoning I.T. group. 

Shortly thereafter Ric met the love of his life, Connie. They started dating and enjoyed several memorable years and moments living in Yorkville. They eventually got married in 1975 and enjoyed over 50 loving years together. Ric and Connie later welcomed their two children, Lindsay and Connor. By the mid-1980’s Ric was transferred to Calgary. It was here that they put down roots and continued raising their young family. Over the years Ric rose through the ranks at Shell through their I.T. group and eventually traveled the world working on strategy for Shell. He retired early to pursue his dream of starting his own golf company. He founded Heritage Golf Works in the mid-1990’s and it quickly became known as the top purveyor of high-end golf and athletic apparel and accessories for all corporate Calgary. Ric enjoyed over 20 years of success with Heritage Golf Works before finally retiring for a second time to enjoy more time with the family.

Dad had a number of incredible traits. He was a jokester at heart and loved teasing his family early on and always found time to throw a pie or two at his many colleagues and friends at big celebrations. Stubborn at heart, he always enjoyed having the last word and loved nothing more than engaging in a healthy debate over politics, business, or life. Ric was also incredibly sentimental. Over the years Ric built an enormous number of incredible relationships and friendships that he kept until the end. He loved telling his family stories of the “good ole” days at Shell, his memorable golf trips he planned to Whitefish, Montana with “the Boys”, and Connie and his many curling bonspiels, golf trips and bridge weekends at the cabin with “the Gang”.

Most important though was that dad was our biggest fan and supporter. He never missed an opportunity to take his son to all his baseball games and tournaments throughout Canada and the US. Dad always ensured his daughter made it to work on time and to her studies at UofC. When he wasn’t focused on his family, Ric was never shy about volunteering his time and donations. Ric loved volunteering teaching racquetball at the local YMCA and spent many years entertaining the crowds as a clown in the Calgary Stampede parade. He also supported and sponsored his son’s baseball teams and tournaments, local hole-in-one golf charity events and canvassing for important personal causes like Diabetes Canada. As the years went on, Ric became grandad and welcomed the next great joys of his life, his five grandchildren, Addison, Ella, Griffin, Tia, and Andie. Ric adored being grandad and creating memories with them. He loved spoiling them rotten and putting pictures of the grand kids throughout his house.

Ric was the most incredible dad, husband, brother, grandad, and friend. He was larger than life in many ways and left a lasting impression wherever he went and whoever he met. He will be greatly missed. We love you, dad!

He is survived by his wife, Connie, his two kids Lindsay (Matt) and Connor (Meghan), his five grandkids Addison, Ella, Griffin, Tia, and Andie and his two sisters, Darlene, and Wendy. 

A party celebrating Ric’s life will be held in due course. His family will reach out to close family and friends with specific details. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and here.

In living memory of Eric Irving, 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.