Obituary of William (Bill) John Love

July 27, 1937 - Toronto, Ontario

July 30, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

On Saturday, July 30, three days after his joyful 85th birthday celebrations, Bill Love of Calgary, AB passed away at home with family by his side.

Bill grew up in post-war Toronto with his sister Eleanor and brother Morgan. His Irish immigrant parents instilled into his DNA a love of family, church and hard work.

Bill began his insurance career in Toronto. In 1961, with the promise of a raise of five dollars a month, he was transferred to Calgary. For the next 50 plus years he served various insurance companies and brokerages competently often driving all over Southern Alberta taking pictures and measuring properties to quote on potential business. Bill was knowledgeable and well-respected in the industry and built an extensive portfolio in general, commercial, and life insurance. Hundreds of students took his insurance training courses through the Insurance Institute.

Bill had a passion for singing! In Toronto, he was invited to sing with a variety of church choirs and ultimately sang with the choir at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church under the renowned composer Healey Willan. Soon after arriving in Calgary Bill joined The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer choir. Fellow choir members became lifelong friends. Over the years, he was also a valued member of Foothills United Church choir, McDougall United Church choir, and The Master's Singers.

Bill married Evelda Harmel on July 17, 1965, in Maidstone, SK. They have two sons, Kevin and Michael. Bill actively supported the boys’ sports endeavors by managing hockey teams, spending endless hours flooding outdoor rinks, fundraising, and driving to various arenas while ensuring that the boys learned sportsmanship and perseverance. Bill had a great love for and was proud of all his family. Visits with the grandchildren and the granddog were especially treasured! He is remembered by all for his great smile. Faith, integrity, and compassion were bookends of Bill's life. He was loved by all who knew him. He told us he had a good life!

Bill enthusiastically volunteered on successful political campaigns. He served on Alberta Government Advisory Boards and participated actively in the National United Church Men's organization (AOTS). He made great friendships as a member of the McDougall Men’s Group. Bill was well known at the local library where he always left with a ‘bag’ of books!

The family enjoyed numerous trips every year to visit relatives in Saskatchewan and Ontario as well as eighteen summers vacationing at the Sandcastle Resort in Kelowna. A family trip to Disneyland was a highlight! Bill and Evelda took several cruises, visited New York and New Jersey frequently, and traveled to many countries including China, Egypt, Ireland, South Africa, Norway, Scotland, Germany, Turkey, the Czech Republic and Israel.

Bill is survived by Evelda, his beloved wife of 57 years, two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael (Melanie) and Kevin (Nicole); and twin grandchildren, William and Olivia. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Ethel Harmel, cousin Bill (Heather) Love, nephews and nieces, Steven (Raelynn) Silk, Patty Silk, Jim (Cindy) Love, Doug Love, Anne (Carl) Dunker, Nancy Love, Ross (Becky) Harmel, Andrea (Steve) Danychuk, Mark (Julia) Harmel; plus many other relatives and friends.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Nancy Love; stepmother Sarah Love, siblings, Morgan (Joyce) Love and Eleanor (Harold) Silk; brother-in-law Ray Harmel, nephews, John Love, and Joe Love; cousins Jessie Love, Ruth and Alex Garden, Fred and Helen Love; and his dear friends, Ron Read, Marg Comba, and Murray Comba.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Service at McDougall United Church (8516 Athabasca St. SE Calgary, AB) on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 11:00 am. For more details or to leave condolences, memories and photos please visit www.McInnisandHolloway.com. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Love's service streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_7mplguk2NAKiZ0zRl8iMg/featured

If friends wish, memorial donations may be made to McDougall United Church, The Janus Academy, or the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

We are grateful for the unwavering love and support of family, friends, and the Palliative Care team throughout Bill’s illness.

In living memory of Bill Love 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.

Click Here to View Bill Love's Memorial Card