Obituary of Edward Rayner Bellows

September 28, 1944 – Beechy, Saskatchewan

April 1, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

The family of Edward (Ed) Rayner Bellows of Calgary, Alberta is heartbroken to share that he passed away on April 1st, 2023, after a brief stay in Rockyview Hospital.

Ed was born in Beechy, Saskatchewan, to Walter and Mabel (nee Blenkiron) Bellows on September 28, 1944.  He was the youngest of three children, by eleven and thirteen years, and was predeceased by both his brother Don and his sister Mildred (Funk).

He grew up on a farm near Beechy and left high school after his father’s death.  Eventually he returned to Beechy School, and in his senior year he met the seventh-grade teacher Betty Cooper.  They married on September 10, 1965, in Saskatoon and welcomed their children Curtis James in 1966 and Trina Maureen in 1969.  Ed started working for Graham Construction in 1966 at the Boundary Dam Project in Estevan Saskatchewan. The Graham Group took him first to Saskatoon, then Moose Jaw, and finally to Calgary in 1981.  As employee #2, he held a wide variety of roles with them through nearly his entire career.  After his retirement in 2010, he started his venture with GolfTEC as an investor and project manager.  This helped keep him (somewhat) out of trouble in his retirement years – once golf season was over.

His favourite place was “The Cabin” at Candle Lake, SK. Starting with a run-down job shack that was dragged onto the lot in 1970, it has become the palatial shanty that stands today. Whether it was a trip to the “drive-in” to watch the bears, or a drive around to look at cabins that ultimately ended in a stop for a maple walnut cone, there was always something to do. Ed’s days were filled with golf, naps, cribbage, a beer or two, and a good sweat in his wood-fired sauna. His love of golf was widely known, and he was thrilled to get his first and only hole-in-one on the Candle Lake Golf Course in 2016.  The cabin has been an important gathering place for friends and family over the years, including some memorable sing-along sessions with special guests. 

Ed was the guy that always “knows a guy” and was never happier than when he was connecting people with someone who could help them.  He knew a little bit about everything, and happily managed to weave his knowledge into everyday conversation.  With topics as varied as widgets and septic systems to WWII and Stephen Hawking’s explanation of the universe, he was always able to find common ground with those he met.  He could play a little guitar and had a great singing voice. He could often be heard humming or singing a song with Marty Robbins, Roger Miller, Johnny Horton, George Jones, and of course Johnny Cash amongst his top forty.

Papa was a constant supporter of his grandchildren’s sports and activities and was always there for a game or recital.  He travelled across North America (Chicago, Vancouver, Halifax, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Jacksonville, Alabama) in support of his grandkids.  He became the first person that the kids greeted after every game, in part due to the pocket full of candy that was handed out to everyone. 

Ed was the patriarch of our family and is survived by his wife Betty, his children Curtis (Lori) and Trina (Shaun), and his much-loved grandchildren Mackenzie (Matt), Thomas, Kaleigh, Paige, Max, and Katie.  He was ecstatic to hear only two weeks before his passing that a great-grandchild (It’s a GIRL Papa!!!) is on the way in October.

Our sincere thanks to the many friends and family that have reached out to share stories and memories of Ed describing him as a mentor, coach, friend, and a great guy.  The family also wishes to offer our gratitude to the staff at Rockyview Hospital ICU for their compassion and support.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at McKenzie Meadows Golf Course (17215 McKenzie Meadows Drive, Calgary, AB) at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11^th, 2023.  In honour of Ed – we would appreciate if you would wear your best casual or golf attire – please, no suits/ties or fancy dresses!

In living memory of Ed, 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.