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Obituary of Leon Wilbert Safford
SAFFORD, Leon Wilbert
March 21, 1930 – Iroquois, Ontario
February 13, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta
Leon Safford of Calgary, AB passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family, on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 92 years.
Leon recently lost his wife Phyllis (Sue), who passed away at the age of 94 on January 27, 2023. He is survived by his children, Judy (Ken), and Don (Barb); and his grandchildren, Brad (Marlene), Ryan (Gabriella); and great-granddaughter Adelyn. Leon will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Leon was born in Iroquois, ON in 1930 to a farming family who were cheese makers. He set out in 1948 to Alberta and arrived just in time for the discovery of oil at Leduc. He landed a roughneck job with a dollar fifty in his pocket and so his career in the oil patch began. Leon met the love of his life Sue in 1953 when one of the oil rigs was in the Athabasca area. They were married in 1954 and soon were blessed with children, Judy and Don. Leon and Sue followed the rigs in rural Alberta and Australia and eventually settled in Calgary in 1965. He then pursued his heavy-duty mechanic ticket and continued working for General Petroleum/Westburne Drilling. He retired in 1986 with 38 years of service.
Upon retirement Leon and Sue travelled and spent many happy vacations with their extended family camping and fishing. Leon loved to watch his grandsons' sporting events and of course was a big Flames and Stampeders fan. One of Leon's many passions was woodworking. He spent many hours making outdoor furniture for friends and family. Chairs, swings, tables, you name it and Leon would build it, for free of course.
Leon had a great sense of humor and made friends easily. The last four years were spent at Grand Seton Village where he made many new friends, especially Ernie and Scotty. Special thanks to Scotty who helped dad when his health started to fail and special thanks to his dear friends at GSV for the cards of well wishes. Those cards were so special to dad, and they brought tears to his eyes. Special thanks as well to the doctors, nurses, and staff at South Health Campus, 6th Floor. Your care and compassion, humor and understanding meant the world to all of us.
Funeral Services for both Leon and Sue will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre St North, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice.
In living memory of Leon Safford, 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.
