Obituary of Paul Thomas McKay
August 20, 1946 – Toronto, Ontario
September 2, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta
Paul McKay, beloved husband of Karen (nee Meador), of Calgary, Alberta, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the age of 76 years.
Paul was born in Toronto, ON, on August 20, 1946. He moved to Calgary, AB, in 1973. Paul attended the University of Toronto and graduated with two degrees, a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and a Bachelor of Education.
Paul was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1970 and was part of the Grey Cup Winning Team in 1972. He was then traded to the Calgary Stampeders in 1973. Retiring in 1975.
Paul and Karen married August 11, 1998. With Kenneth and Margaret Meador as their witnesses.
Paul taught high school with the Calgary Board of Education for 45 years, retiring in June 2016.
Paul loved participating in sports, but his true passion was coaching. He coached various sports while teaching but truly loved being on the football field. Paul coached at every high school he taught at, the last being the Bowness Trojans. He also coached with the Calgary Cowboys Football Club, where he got to coach his grandson, Jeremy. This was the highlight of his coaching career, especially when they won the Provincial Playdown.
Paul was also a skilled umpire earning his Level 5 accreditation in 1994. He supervised many tournaments while working with the Calgary Softball Umpires Association, as well as national events working for Softball Canada.
Paul’s favourite quote was “Success isn’t measured by money or power or social rank. Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace.” – Mike Ditka
He will be remembered for his desire to help all students and players experience “success,” no matter what that looked like. Paul cherished his family and was so proud to be part of their lives.
Besides his loving wife Karen, Paul is survived by his stepchildren, Tyler and Heather Bergh of Sechelt, BC, and Dionne and Michael Wilson of Okotoks, AB; six amazing grandchildren, Jeremy Ritchie, Sawyer and Briar Bergh, Mia, Ady, and Parker Wilson; brother David (Barb), and nephew Ryan of Toronto, ON. Paul is also survived by Don and Jeanne Meador, Sandy Meador, Joan Dewis, William Meador, and their respective families.
Tyler, Kyle and Katelyn. Please know you have always been loved and I wish our relationships could have been mended.
Paul was predeceased by his parents, Alice (1994) and Phil (2004); brother Bruce (1992), and James Meador (2020).
A Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Please dress casually. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to True North Mission Society at https://truenorthmissionssociety.ca/support-us/#donate-now-section.
The Family would like to express their gratitude to the following: Dr. James N. Powell, Dr. Ganesh Swamy, Dr. Rebecca Charbonneau, Dr. Norman Yee, Unit 101 Staff – Foothills Medical Centre, Cochrane Home Care, All Health Care Providers.
In living memory of Paul McKay, 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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