Obituary of John Reginald Speight

July 23, 1938 – Toronto, Ontario

November 25, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

John “Jack” Speight, beloved husband of Eileen Speight (nee Garriott), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2022, at the age of 84 years.

Jack was raised in Toronto where he spent his early adult years before moving to Calgary.  Although he attended agricultural college in Guelph, Ontario, his working career was in sales, and he was a respected and trusted salesman for many years. The family cottage on Sturgeon Lake was his refuge and he spent countless solo hours walking the fields, canoeing, riding his horse, and communing with nature, establishing the quiet, reserved man he became.

His decision to come out west was met with incredulous comments from family and peers, but out he came anyway in 1972 with his two young daughters, who he had been raising as a single father since the youngest was still a baby. In Calgary he became a realtor and enjoyed helping his clients find the appropriate home, not just any home.  In retirement, he owned Heritage Metal Detectors for many years, and enjoyed his many and varied customers and their stories. 

Jack met Eileen in 1980, the start of forty-two happy years arm in arm, with numerous trips, picnics anywhere (all birthdays in KCountry), ordinary life experiences, and yes, trips to Emergency.  During those years he had many interests, tried new things (karate, motorcycle, ukulele, and sailing, to name a few), loved many pets, and wore out five bread machines. 

Jack passed believing he was a western boy. He is survived by his loving wife Eileen and her family, his family in Ontario, and special friends in BC and Alberta.  He was predeceased by his father and role model, Harold Speight (a respected Chief of Detectives), mother Ann Gough Speight, and an older sister.

Many thanks go to family doctor Dr. L. Pecharsky, and to all medical and support staff at the Tom Baker Centre, Foothills Unit 57, Rockyview Unit 94, and Southwood Hospice for their care and kindness.  In addition, special thanks go to Dr. M. Fielden and Dr. D.K. Ladell for their years of treatment.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of John Speight, 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.