Obituary of John Hugh Currie

February 24, 1930 - Glace Bay, Nova Scotia

October 13, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with deep sadness that the family of John Hugh Currie announce his passing on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at the age of 92 years. We were blessed to have him as our husband, father, and friend, and he leaves behind a big hole in our lives.

John was born to Lauchlin and Margaret Currie in Glace Bay, N.S. and spent his childhood there and in Halifax. He received a B.A. from St. Francis Xavier University and an LLB from Dalhousie University, where he met his beloved wife, Roberta (Bobbie) Kelley. In 1955 they married and moved west to Calgary, AB where they raised a family of five. John worked in the oil and gas industry, ending his career at Canterra Energy. After retirement he remained active in the business community on various boards, promoting opportunities, and as President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. 

John embraced his life in Calgary and contributed to many facets of the growing city in education, the arts, athletics, church, and social programs. Among the numerous organizations he led through the years were Bow Valley College, the Calgary City Ballet and Calgary Opera Association, the Western Canada Games, the Calgary Catholic School Board, and the Calgary Homeless Foundation. He believed in giving back to the community and was able to inspire others to do the same. He was recognized for these contributions in turn, receiving numerous awards such as the Order of Canada, Calgary Citizen of the Year, and Dalhousie Law School Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service. Recently he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in acknowledgement of his work establishing the MNP Community and Sports Centre.

John's sense of service was an inspiration to those around him as were his energy, optimism, and drive to continue learning. His humour and storytelling followed him everywhere, even during his health struggles at the end. Since moving west, John and Bobbie regularly visited their Nova Scotia roots but became proud Albertans and lovers of big sky country. They spent many happy summers with their children and grandchildren at their cottage near Okotoks, where John enjoyed watching the red-tailed hawks, woodworking, and raising horses. He never met a horse he didn't like, and he spoiled every dog that he shared his life with.

John will be greatly missed by Bobbie, who was by his side for 67 years; by his children Brenda-Jean (Terry), Lauchlan (Karen), Genevieve (Yvon), Allison (Mark), and Ian (Laurie); and by his eleven grandchildren, Allison Mae, Emily, Patrick, Brittany, Brynn, Dani, Ewan, Hugh, Aidan, Callum, and Edie. A Private Funeral Mass will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Rockyview Hospital for their compassion and care in his last days. Flowers are gratefully declined. For those so wishing, John would have appreciated a donation to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, a charity close to his heart, https://www.calgaryhomeless.com/support/donate/.

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. - Pericles

In living memory of John Currie, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.

Click Here to View John Currie's Memorial Card